A no-bake recipe perfect for any summer occasion! Gluten-free pretzels and Medjool dates make up the super quick crust, while a container of dairy-free cream cheese and frozen strawberries results in the most creamy filling.

If you were a fan of the strawberry shortcake bars from the ice cream truck, then this recipe has your name all over it!

No-Bake Strawberry Shortcake Pretzel Crunch Cheesecake Bars were loosely inspired by this nostalgic treat, but of course, made with healthier ingredients! 

The gluten-free pretzel crust is made with only four ingredients (including salt).

A quick whirl in a food processor or a high-speed blender is all it takes for a crumbly, no-bake crust.

The fruity, pink strawberry filling is also a breeze to make. One large bag of frozen strawberries and a container of dairy-free cream cheese, and you’re halfway there to a super-easy, refined sugar-free filling. 

A mix of crushed pretzels and some freeze-dried strawberries will give you that quintessential crumbly topping that is downright irresistible.

I highly recommend you make a batch of these for your next summer dinner party, girls’ night, or a weekend when you want something sweet! Enjoy! 

Ingredients for Strawberry Cheesecake Cookie Bars

The name of this recipe may be a mouthful, but you’ll be surprised at how few ingredients it requires! There are fewer than five ingredients in each of the elements, which means there really is no excuse to whipping these up spontaneously. Here’s what you’ll need. 

• Gluten-Free Pretzels: I love @fitjoy gluten-free pretzels, but you could also sub @simplemills Honey Cinnamon Seed & Nut Flour Sweet Thins or even @sietefoods Churro Strips.    
• Medjool Dates: Medjool dates are plumper, juicier, and oftentimes sweeter than other types of dates. Be sure to pit them before popping them into the blender or food processor. 

• Coconut Oil: This healthier oil is great for no-bake goods and plays a key role in binding the crust ingredients together. 
• Dairy-Free Cream Cheese: @miyokoscreamery makes a great dairy-free cream cheese made with cashews and coconut cream. If you aren’t dairy-free, sub regular cream cheese. 
• Strawberries: If it’s peak strawberry season, by all means, use fresh. But for the other 10 or 11 months of the year, frozen works great too. 

• Maple Syrup: This natural sweetener adds a nice caramel-like taste to the no-bake cheesecake filling. 

• Strawberry Jam: To enhance the fruity flavor of these bars, a spoonful of pure strawberry jam is swirled through the top layer. It’s beautiful and a flavor booster,  too! 
• Topping: For the crumbly, ice-cream-like topping, a mix of crushed freeze-dried strawberries and extra pretzels does the trick. 

How to Make No-Bake Strawberry Shortcake Bars

Prepare the crust

Prepare an 8”x 8” pan by lining it with parchment paper, leaving the edges hanging over for easy removal.

Add the gluten-free pretzels, Medjool dates, coconut oil, and salt to a food processor and pulse until a dense sandy mixture forms and there are no large pretzel chunks.

Pour the crust mixture into the prepared pan. Firmly press the crust down into a tight, even layer.

Make the filling

Combine the dairy-free cream cheese, strawberries, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a food processor or high-speed blender and process/blend until a smooth mixture forms (about 1 minute).

Pour the cheesecake filling over the crust in the prepared pan. 

Top with a few streaks of strawberry jam, running a knife through the jam to create swirls. Freeze for a minimum of 6 hours.

Prepare to serve

Remove the cheesecake from the freezer and take it out of the pan while still frozen. 

Add the remaining pretzels and freeze-dried strawberries to a plastic bag and crush using the back of a measuring cup or another flat surface.

Scatter the crushed pretzels and freeze-dried strawberries mixture over the top.

Serve

Allow the cheesecake to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. If frozen overnight, place in the fridge for 3 hours before serving.

Slice into 9 squares. Serve and enjoy! 

More No-Bake Desserts To Try: 

• No-Bake Dairy-Free Lemon Cheesecake Bars
• No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars
• Dairy-Free No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
• No Bake Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars with Chocolate Ganache
• No-Bake Kitchen Sink Cookie Dough Bars