Homemade is always, always best, but….
…honestly, this is the only reason I buy “store bought” cereals, and it actually upsets me… but, the life long tradition (OK, not life long… but, certainly significant) of munching on these warm out of mom’s oven is one from the modern convenience food age that I have chosen to keep. For now. Because I LOVE them and they are not even close to anything you can buy in a box. Well, except that all of the ingredients come in a box. Except the “sauce”. And that is almost completely butter. Don’t let me deter you or influence you. But, if you are looking for that old fashioned (everything is relative) Nuts & Bolts recipe, this is it.
I remember taking the pretzel and piling the cheerios onto it as a child. Now, the cheerio hole is no longer big enough to do that. What’s with that?
We also used to be able to buy wheat, corn, and rice Chex in Canada, but no more… so, use Shreddies and Life Cereal, or anything similar to these shapes. I will be honest. Nothing compares to the Chex. Shreddies are really good in this, but the Corn and Rice Chex cannot be substituted with anything I have found to be as tasty. Fortunately, I have a daughter in Palo Alto who keeps me in stock.
I just made three batches. I have a lot of family to share with… but, don’t, for a minute, think these are good for you. I mean, boxed and processed cereal isn’t good for you in the first place! Now, look at the butter in the recipe!!! Don’t say I didn’t warn you, but these are really, really addictive.
Nuts and Bolts Recipe (from the box)
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. butter
- 2 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tbsp. garlic powder
- 1½ tsp. onion salt (didn’t have any so I used 1 ½ tsp Vegeta)
- 1½ tsp. celery salt
- 1 ½ t Spike (this is not in the traditional version, but I add it because I like it)
- 4 cups Corn Chex (available in the US, not in Canada)
- 4 cups Wheat Chex (available in the US, not in Canada)
- 4 cups of Rice Chex (available in the US, not in Canada)
- 4 cups Cheerios
- 4 cups of pretzel sticks
- 1 box cheese nips or cheese bites
Instructions:
- Heat oven to 250° F
- Place butter in heavy pot; melt it while the oven is preheating
- Add next five ingredients and stir well to combine
- Combine all remaining ingredients in a large roaster, then transfer, if needed, to casserole dishes for baking (your pan can be full enough to toss, or to stir, but should not be heaping)
- Pour sauce over in 1/2 cup increments, stirring gently and firmly to combine each time, until all has been mixed in
- Bake for 1 ½ hours; stir every ½ hour
- Store in air tight container
And whose tracks are these? This reminds me of the tracks I found last year! But, they do look different, and… upon investigation: AHHHHH!
What she doesn't know won't hurt her. She is just soooo controlling sometimes!
I’ll let him live in his little fantasy world – for now… as if I don’t know…. EVERYTHING.
Oh Mr P does that same thing that Beavie does!! Naughty, naughty!!!
Unfortunately you can’t buy chex in the UK either
Have a fab weekend daaaaahling.
*kisses* HH
Oh my gosh, Valerie, I would snack on these all day long (and probably stay up all night too so I could eat them). I love the seasonings you added.
Nisrine@dinners & dreams recently posted..How to Fillet a Fish
I remember Chex!!! Wondered why they didn’t sell them anymore. Anyways, after reading my Dad’s lobster in cream sauce, you should know butter doesn’t scare me none
. The only problem I have with these kinds of mixed treats is that my holy terrors will pick at the ones they like and then when those run out, well…let’s just say holy terrors don’t even begin to describe them. Lol. Although with this delicious recipe, I’d have no problem polishing off the ones they don’t like. Maybe they’ll even eat all of them. Gosh Valerie, you are a live walking cookbook, and every foodie’s dream 
lequan recently posted..There’s Magic in the Air
So – are you going to make Nuts and Bolts, now, LQ? Or are you just talkin’?
Valerie
This recipe will never go out of style! I have great memories of making this years ago. Beavie has good taste
Susan recently posted..Whole Wheat CheeseBoy Crackers!
These are an old favourite Valerie.
My girls pick all the pretzels out of nuts & bolts. You’d think they’d go for the cheerios first.
Kevin recently posted..Cheese Cellar Porn
They look really good Val–hope Lauren has room to bring the Chex this time too.:)
That beaver is one smart cookie. He knows good stuff when he sees it. I love this Nuts and Bolts mixture. I know it’s been around for a while, but it never fails to please everyone and you can store it so nicely for the holidays. Nice hostess gift too, Valerie.
Barbara recently posted..Frozen Grand Marnier Mousse
Can I tell you how much I LOVE that you did this! Sometimes we just gotta go with those childhood memories & traditions to complete the holiday experience. Funny about the hole in the Cheerios getting smaller. I like the idea of the pretzel going through it. Perhaps the pretzels got thicker too?? Regardless, enjoy this crunchy snack – - my kids would love it! xo
Hey Valerie, I’ve never had nuts and bolts. Yours look delicious though, and I wouldn’t feel too bad about having an old favorite from the conventional foods world. Who doesn’t?! Oh, and I bet these would be really nice with a beer!
Stella recently posted..Vegan Sweet Potato Pie
I have to make this treat for my family.
Helene recently posted..Presidents Choice Chocolate Fondue
if you happen to see tracks that would have been me haha! i never had nults and bolts yet so that would merit a risky mission of barging in to get some haha!
skip to malou recently posted..reminiscing
Skip to Malou! You have never had Nuts and Bolts… now, that is astonishing to me. How narrow am I?
Valerie
Val this looks totally addictive – how do I make this without the chex?! I will just have to find some substitute here in Australia…
Trissa recently posted..Easy Tapas- Pinchos Moruños
you know its Christmas when the nuts and bolts come out! my mother used to make these all the time but hasn’t in years… if I find the time, maybe I will!
Leslie @ Chomp! recently posted..Meat Pie Madness
oh goodness a family treat indeed, my mom always made a HUGE batch of this for the holidays…i have not had it in ages, thanks for sharing…I think my girls would really love this…
sweetlife
You got a chex distributer, huh. That’s hilarous.
Ohhh, now I REALLY want some salty nuts and bolts. Salty and crunchy are one of my most very fave combos.
Maki recently posted..Cheesy Squash Scones
Valerie…this really brought back some memories for me. My brother and I couldn’t wait for our parents to pull out the spread of these crunchy treats when receiving friends over for a good time.
We’re the ones that had the good times and also the upset tummies afterwards ;o)
Those times were such simpler days and we didn’t seem to have a care in the world.
Now, this is the 2nd post tonight where you managed to let me reminisce…thanks
Ciao for now,
Claudia
FOODESSA recently posted..TiraMiSù ExtraOrdinario
I LOVE this stuff! I am well known in my family for hogging the bowl and eating all the shreddies and cheerios and leaving the rest behind. I have never made it, as I refuse to believe there’s that much butter in it, but I sure can put it away!
Ok this is great stuff, now replace 1/2 cup of butter with 1/2cup bacon grease.
(I keep bacon greas in the fridge so I use it when it’s hard).I put little pads of grease all over the nuts and bolts every time i stir it up every 1/2 hour.Now tell me what you think .
Paula!
You are evil! That would be soooooo delicious! I am definitely going to give it a try next year… as if they are not addictive enough. And, I also keep my bacon grease as I am married to an Easter European guy who would not live without bacon.
Valerie
Well it is a good recipe… thank you ! GOOD NEWS.. I found Chex in Canada.. but only in some stores..and only the rice and wheat so far ~
I know this will disappoint Paula… I reduced the “fat” to 1/2 cup of butter and 1/2 cup olive oil. I also added 1 226g box of Wheat thins sticks, 110g of cashews and upped the garlic… this recipe sure forgiving. Guess that cut’s some of the salt.. but it has good flavour and my Man says it’s the only holiday tradition he really remembers from his childhood.. his grandfather made them.. but he insist they really should be made MONTHS in advance?
Tonight I am going to try and create a modification that is spicy.
Hi, Kat!
Well, I agree with your husband! They should be made MONTHS in advance so they can be eaten all year round! Otherwise, no need. They are best fresh and definitely do not improve with age, but will keep about 6 weeks or so without going stale in a sealed container.
Valerie
Hi Kate
Our family loves this snack. I found Kelloggs Crispix Krispes are a great replacement for Chex.
You can get chex in Canada. I’m eating them right now!!
Melinda!
How purely naughty of you to eat and not tell! Share your secret! Where did you buy them and where do you live? I already have my coat on!
Valerie
Corn Chex & Rice Chex are available in Canada effective June 2011,
they are even gluten free.
Corinne,
V
Where from? Let me Google and see if I can find a Canadian CHEX source.
Found out that Chex are available in Canada SOMEWHERE since the summer of 2011, but cannot locate any information of specific sourcing. If anyone knows, please chime in.
V
I saw them at No Frills, so check any of the Loblaw company stores.
Thank you so much, Corinne!
So that would mean Superstore in the Edmonton area, folks! Cannot wait to check this out as I am black and blue from kicking myself for not bringing back the massive triple box they prepare and sell in the US for this while we were just in San Fran!
V
I just bought some Rice Chex at SuperWalmart (in Edmonton) last Friday. Used them to make Puppy Chow and it is delish! Using my Shreddies and the rest of the Chex for the Nuts and Bolts. Thanks for the recipe!
AMY!
Thank you! Maybe I need your recipe for puppy chow! Is it nutritious? I have a little baby sister named Penny who lives with my mom and dad. She is tiny and fluffy and white and definitely a princess through and through. They feed her chicken breast, carrots and tomatoes every night for supper… raw tomatoes, steamed and cold carrots, poached chicken – all minced. Other than that she likes a couple of kinds of dog food that are good for her teeth. (And they get those cleaned twice a year, too!)
V
I was just at a Zehrs here in Ontario and they had Rice Chex and Honey-Nut Chex, but I didn’t see the Corn Chex. Now I just have to find a substitute for Bugles. :-p
Corinne!
I love my N&B simple: no peanuts, no interference. Just me and my (big) bowl! 
Hopefully you are finding a substitute for Bugles because they are pure fat gluing all of their preservatives together!
V
Valerie, thanx for the info on Bugles, I won’t worry too much about sourcing them. Wishing you and your legion of followers a Very Merry Christmas!
Valerie, how long do they stay fresh, I would like to make it today but have it taste good for Christmas.(Thats ten days away) Can you really freeze it and it doesnt come out soggy?
Debbie,
This is one of the only recipes on my site that is made primarily with prepackaged food that already contains preservatives. After dressing the cereals and baking them, this will stay “fresh” in a tightly sealed container – not in the fridge or freezer, for up to two months. I know! This recipe is truly one of my sins, but I love it and it reminds me of my childhood Christmas and at least dressing it myself I have some control over what we are eating… and it is sooooo yummy. But, it keeps very very well, so fear not! You will have it fresh for Christmas and New Years – should it last so long!
Valerie
Thank you soo much for the quick reply.
Enjoy the season!
One more question, is a ziplock bag considered a tightly sealed container?
Debbie
Hi, Debbie!
Sure, a ziplock bag works fine!
Valerie
I picked up Corn & Rice Chex at Superstore in Northwest Edmonton this week, and they are indeed gluten free! I just add Shreddies to round it out
I always have a heck of a time finding cheese nibs, etc so I started using cheese gold fish crackers – perfect substitute!
Carolyn!
I found Rice Chex, too – they are almost everywhere right now – and new in! But, all I could find, and I made a valiant effort – were they honey nut Corn Chex. Were yours plain? I prefer plain by far. Then, Superstore has an organic wheat cereal that looks like a Shreddie but is much lighter like the Chex. They have Cheese Nibs at Safeway and Save On Foods almost all of the time, but I never shop at either place regularly, either.
So, I am set, too – except I could not find straight pretzels anywhere! Now, that is funny.
We are looking again tomorrow.
valerie
Actually I like to use my leftover broken waffle pretzel pieces! I use the perfect ones to make the rolo/nut treats and then the broken ones go into this – it’s a peftect match! I found that having bits of waffle makes it much easier to pick up and you don’t get jabbed by the long pretzels too! Since the cheerios don’t fit on them anymore anyway, why not?
I have plain corn chex but I noticed today they now have honey nut. Maybe it was a mistake!
Oh, I like the way the shreddies soak up all the yummy flavour – they are my favourite pieces so I wouldn’t trade them in!
I found Honey Nut Chex at Sobeys here in Fredericton, NB, so I would imagine there’s a good chance you’ll find it any Sobeys, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Price Chopper or Thrifty Foods stores across the country. Maybe not the plain variety of Chex, though.
Thanks, Dave!
Wheat Chex are not to be found in the west yet. 
In Edmonton, the Rice Chex are everywhere – and the honey nut Corn Chex most places… I wish they were not sweet – but, used them this year and they were OK!
V