"Save site as template" option in SharePoint 2010 missing

1. Go to Site Actions  –> Site Settings –> Manage site features under Site Actions.

2. Deactivate the SharePoint Server Publishing feature, then go back to the Site Settings page.

3. Now you would see the save as site template link.

4. After you save the template, turn back on SharePoint Server Publishing.

Note: Another way is appending “ /_layouts/savetmpl.aspx ” to the site url you wish to save as a template