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Nothing says Christmas like homemade nuts and bolts and this particular homemade nuts and bolts recipe is my family’s favourite. I hope you like it!
I can’t believe that it’s taken me this long to share my family’s classic nuts and bolts recipe with you all.
You can actually thank these two in the photo below, for the kick in the pants this year for finally getting a homemade nuts and bolts recipe up for you guys.
Yes, my Mom and Dad. Who gleefully – and most deservedly – spend their winter in Phoenix now and are coming home for Christmas. This makes our Christmas ever MORE of a food fest of all of their favorite things to eat. I was talking to Dad on the phone the other day and was emphatically told :
“There’s NEVER enough garlic in homemade nuts and bolts! Make sure to double, no, TRIPLE the garlic!”
You can take the boy out of the Ukraine, but you can’t…you know. Take the garlic out of the Ukrainian.
Here’s the thing: I totally agree with Dad and that might be because I’m a Ukrainian girl, through and through. There is NEVER enough garlic or flavour in homemade nuts and bolts. You know how the store-bought versions of nuts and bolts burn your mouth? You are aiming for a wee bit shy of that flavour explosion.
There has to be a happy medium between the ho-hum recipes out there – man, you should see how little butter some of the other recipes for homemade nuts and bolts use! Sacrilege!- and the store-bought bags. I actually don’t even like the store-bought bags of bits and bites or nuts and bolts. It has to be homemade nuts and bolts or nothing!
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.
We aren’t making Chex Mix.
Mainly because we don’t get all of the different varieties of Chex mix that the original recipe calls for.
We are making Homemade Nuts and Bolts and Canadians use far different cereals than my American friends do. Homemade nuts and bolts are far different here in Canada, as the mix that I grew up with also included Shreddies. We always had Shreddies in our homemade nuts and bolts.
I don’t include them because those buggers always cut my mouth.
Is it just me? Those dang sharp cereal corners! BAH!!! Always cut me!
Please tell me that it’s not just me. I feel like such a freak just typing that. Shreddies in a homemade nuts and bolts mix totally remind me of cutting my gums as a kid. That’s all there is to it. I would always bite them the wrong way and stick those sharp corners into a gum.
Why do you guys even come here and read this stuff, seriously. Bleeding gums and homemade nuts and bolts recipe. Er, welcome to my website?
I use the Rice Chex that is available here in Canada, but my family has always had a love for Crispix cereal. To be honest, the Crispix works even better than the Chex does- more on that later.
Take a look at this finished homemade nuts and bolts. The Rice Chex appears to be the exact same colour as it was before, however the Crispix is loaded with salty, savoury homemade nuts and bolts goodness. It also crisped up and darkened slightly!
I might be inclined to change my entire recipe to all Crispix, I’m not sure. This was my first year making our homemade nuts and bolts recipe so I didn’t really sit and analyze what was going on before, I just, well, ate it. Now as the cook who’s making it, I am taking a second look.
Granted the Chex does give it a different shape and texture, so I’ll most likely keep it.
Happy holidays to us!
There is nothing like a homemade nuts and bolts recipe for the holidays. I’m rather excited for Christmas this year, we are home, Christmas is going to be at my house and everyone will be here.
The Nuts
You will notice that my nuts and bolts has no nuts – believe it or not it’s not called nuts and bolts because you used to be able to fit the pretzels and Cheerios together like nuts and bolts, now you can’t) and that’s because my nephew is allergic to them. You can certainly toss in a cup of peanuts if desired!
This is like Bits and Bites in the bag at the grocery store, those don’t come with nuts either, but you can add them!
Is it Christmas yet?
I’m ready.
I’m done my book tour, or at least the part that involves major travel. We’ve done a lot of rearranging in our house, because you know, this is my busy time of year so why not throw in some house projects as well, right?
Stay tuned for a post on that! The bonus room upstairs has been turned into a retro bar area…pinball machine included! I am so excited, it was worth every aching muscle. And every aching muscle to come, because we’ve been at it a week and my house is still topsy-turvy.
Well, I wanted a Mad Men Christmas party at my house… and I’ll be getting it!
So here’s the real question, what is in YOUR family’s homemade nuts and bolts recipe? I have found that recipes vary so much from family to family. As you can tell, ours has a lot of garlic and paprika, which actually isn’t usually found in homemade nuts and bolts. We just like our paprika, just like our garlic!
Happy baking everyone! Let me know what you think!
I think this is definitely a recipe that you need to try this holiday season, trust me. It makes SO much and stores for two weeks in an airtight container! Make it a week before Christmas and hide it so that it lasts until the big day! It’s also a big enough recipe to make for a party and since you make it ahead of time, it’s perfect!
Love you more than garlic,
Karlynn
Classic Homemade Nuts and Bolts Recipe
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Cook Time
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Courses
- Appetizer, Snack
- Cuisine
- American
- Servings
- 21
- Calories
- 284
- Author
- Karlynn Johnston
Ingredients
- 2 cups of salted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon seasoning salt
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 2-3 tablespoons garlic powder 3 is my dad’s level!
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 8 cups of Crispix Cereal plain corn and rice
- 4 cups of Rice Chex
- 4 cups plain Cheerios
- 4 cups of pretzel sticks
- 1 box cheese stick crackers
- Optional spices: 1/2 tbsp onion powder very good 1/2 tbsp dried dill, ( haven’t tried it but sounds great!)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F.
- In a very large roaster, combine the cereals, nuts, crackers and pretzels. In microwave (or on stove) melt butter and mix in spices and Worcestershire. Pour over dry ingredients and stir gently to mix thoroughly.
- Bake at 250 degrees for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring gently with a spoon every 25 minutes or so.
- The mix will be done when you can see that all of the butter mixture has been absorbed and is dry.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- This recipe was originally called nuts and bolts because the pretzels fit into the cheerios like “nuts and bolts.” However you can add in 1-2 cups of your favorite nuts to the mixture.
Nutrition Information
All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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Lisa-Beth Friendly Manitoba Cooks says
Definitely a childhood memory! I agree with adding tsp of chilli powder and a few good shakes of hot sauce! We make it in time for GreyCup( football championship in Canada) then I actually freeze it in ziplock bags! Take out all the air with a straw and add a folded paper towel to the bag. Keeps for 6 months.
Wilma says
My granddaughter is allergic to peanuts and is Celiac so I used all rice Cheks Cheerios GF pretzel sticks and PEANUT FREE ALMONDS. They were delicious
Kim Walker says
Great recipe! but of course I changed it slightly. I like Shreddies in my mix even though they can be a hazard:) I also included bugles. I dropped the Chex.
Patty says
I’m making this tomorrow and can’t wait! My biggest concern is keeping it fresh until Christmas. Any tips on storage?
Danielle says
Keep in a closed container. Stays fresh for 2 months at least.
Trudy says
I found this recipe last year, tried it (with the extra garlic) and decided it’s the best ever! Saved it to my computer, then it went on the fritz and I spent several days (well, not all day) searching for this recipe and finally found it! The detail about the extra garlic is what helped me find it again. Thanks for sharing!
Janette Thompson says
So great – this is the first recipe I’ve seen that’s like my family’s. VERY similar with a few tweaks. For us, it’s the more Worchestershire sauce the better. :~) And I use garlic powder and celery salt. No paprika but a bit of chili powder and a drop or two of hot sauce. And Crispix only – no Rice Chex. I so agree – some of the family stills uses our “decades old” recipe with Shreddies – NOT a fan. WOW – I feel a tad guilty – not really – about 1.5 cups butter – will have to give 2 a go sometime. I turn/stir with a flat wooden paddle every 15 minutes for an hour to hour and a half.
Here’s something to think about. Are you sitting down? ;~) I used to use the cheese logs but now – President’s Choice Penguins. Same-ish flavour but the cute-ness level is through the roof.
BTW: Mine are in the oven right now. And this starts the season of Christmas in this house. Yikes – I’ve been known to have to do a second big batch – addiction level is high. I try to give some away to save myself – while grasping tightly to the package.
Merry Ho Ho Ho!
Karlynn Johnston says
Merry Christmas to you as well!! I bet the chili powder and hot sauce are really good in your version!
Jordan Burn says
Very GOOD product. Grandson likes to eat it for breakfast in a good bowl of melk.
Cdn Girl says
Is there a substitution for the seasoning salt?
angela hammill says
this is actually better than the store bought, less salty and u can adjust the flavor…well done!
Lynne Bailey says
Used your recipe this year and they were the best!! Thanks for sharing!
The Kitchen Magpie says
So glad you loved it!!
Heather Pollock says
These are the ones I put in my nuts and bolts. I think I bought mine at sobeys
Kelly Eaglesham says
I checked Superstore, Walmart, Safeway and Save-on. Of course they would be at the one store I didn’t check! Thanks 🙂
The Kitchen Magpie says
Kelly Eaglesham Walmart usually has them, my Walmart off of ellersie in edmonto has them all the time!
The Kitchen Magpie says
Oh and I buy them 4 at a time because yes, hard to find. But the best in this mix!
Kelly Eaglesham says
Thanks! I’ll keep my eye out. Our Walmart is the smaller kind (Spruce Grove). Maybe I’ll check at the one in the city next time!
The Kitchen Magpie says
Kelly Eaglesham and stock up lol. My son now makes this for lunch snacks lol. Butter
Loaded is better than store bought, tho!
Kelly Eaglesham says
I made this over the holidays, but couldn’t for the life of me find the stick shaped crackers. Where do you buy them (I’m local)? Btw, it was delicious (hello butter my old friend).
Heather Pollock says
Yummm…. I have the ingredients here but am waiting till I’m over my cold to bake anything !
Crystal Carlson says
Everything but the nuts. I love nuts but granddaughter is allergic\U0001f62a
The Kitchen Magpie says
We don’t use nuts because my nephew is allergic. It’s amazing without them!!
Gumbo Steve says
I grew up in NE Indiana in the 60’s and we always called this mix Nuts n’ Bolts so I don’t think that its a Canadian thing. I have NO idea what Shreddies are but sounds like an unsweetened Cap’n Crunch (which also are injurious to the inside of your mouth unless soaked in milk). My recipe leans more towards the Worcestershire sauce component and less to the butter. I start with 6 tbs but usually add the amount that is poured out while I am measuring. I also use all three unsweetened Chex cereals with Cheerios and split the seasoned salts among garlic, onion and celery. I am going to add paprika to my next batch with your inspiration. When time allows, I am going to add my recipe to this site (which I just recently discovered). Thank you for your inspiration and contribution to this site.
Dave says
Shreddies are the closest thing to Wheat Chex we have in Canada. Only Rice Chex and a sweetened Chex cereal are marketed in Canada. No Wheat or Corn Chex!
TaraHeg says
I love adding Hawkins Cheezies and dill.
Karlynn Johnston says
Cheezies sound amazing!
Jenna Gilbertson says
Mikayla Gilbertson I think I’ll try this recipe this yr
Tanya-Dan Tompkins says
Made this on the weekend. I couldn’t find cheese sticks so I used cheddar goldfish. So yummy \U0001f604
jlj says
Great idea! I’ve been missing the cheese stick crackers and would never have thought of goldfish crackers – thank you for posting this!
Carleen Rous says
I totally agree – no Shreddies or peanuts. I make them very similar to yours but I also add a bit of onion powder…..and a lot of bacon!! (also inspired by my dad)
The Kitchen Magpie says
Dads have some pretty great ideas! 😉
Margo Kebreslian says
Where are the recipe
The Kitchen Magpie says
Click the link and it’s on that page at the bottom
Sandra Routliffe says
I attempted a batch last year for the first time annnd I burned the whole batch. I’m going to try again with your recipe this year because it reminds me of my grandmother. 🙂
The Kitchen Magpie says
You can do it!!! I’m making a batch later this week for my Christmas party!
Sandra Routliffe says
Nuts and bolts taste like Christmas to me. 🙂 Thanks for the vote of confidence. 🙂
Sophie Nakoneczny says
Think I might try these this year. I’ve made a different version some other years.
Karlynn Johnston says
Let me know what you think!
Tammy70 says
I cook mine in batches in the microwave. I use @ 12cups dry ingredients (usually pretzels, cheese nip crackers, Crispix, Bugles and Cheerios. For nuts peanuts and cashews)
thekitchenmagpie says
Tammy70 I bet cashews are AMAZING in it!!!
Mary P Hoffman says
I’ve seen this snack mix before, but with a different name. I like the “nuts and bolts” comment – very cute!
The Kitchen Magpie says
I think nuts and bolts is a more Canadian name for it, for sure!
Judy Francey says
Got to try these
Karlynn Johnston says
We have been eating them all week! SO good!
Heather Pollock says
OMG…. My favorite\U0001f499
Val Peterson says
I do put in nuts, and also bugles and some Cheetos. If l give it to people with kids l put in goldfish. Love this stuff!!
Karlynn Johnston says
It’s SO easy to customize to your liking!
Saylor McLennan says
I make this every year before Christmas \U0001f495
Ashley Meek says
Making this tomorrow!
The Kitchen Magpie says
Ohhh let me know what you think! I’m chowing down on a bowl right now hahaha!!
MarniLebarron says
Now we like it a little ‘kicky’ so add a tablespoon of Frank’s hot sauce, woot woot!
Ashley Meek says
I’m drooling already!
The Kitchen Magpie says
Ashley Meek it’s soooo good!!
Ashley Meek says
I just showed my kitchen helper (my 4 year old) the video. She wants to make them for breakfast! I like her style but we need to make a trip to the store first haha
Ashley Meek says
They turned out awesome! I did add Shreddies. And went with Dad level garlic \U0001f495
The Kitchen Magpie says
Ashley Meek hahah Dad level!! I’ll be making that come Christmas!!
Marcy Bos says
Yum..brings back memories.
The Kitchen Magpie says
Oh man, it tastes like my childhood!!!
Marcy Bos says
Right? Right down to the roasting pan. \U0001f60d
The Kitchen Magpie says
Marcy Bos I loooove my roasting pan! I got it for my wedding 16 years ago!
Marcy Bos says
Perfect…I don’t have the same roasting pan..but I still have the same Kitchen Aid mixer since our wedding 18 years ago…when that thing finally dies I’ll be sooooo sad.