Ultimate Holiday Nuts & Bolts (Perfect for Gifting or Apres Ski Snacking!)
If there’s one recipe that feels like a warm hug after a day in the snow—or the ideal nibble while you’re tucked inside with a glass of wine as the winter wind howls—it’s a big bowl of homemade Nuts & Bolts.
This recipe is so popular in our Marketing Manager - Kathryn Newhouse's home that she questions whether or not she should buy stock in General Mills due to the amount of cereal that her family purchases to make never ending batches throughout the holidays.
This version is simple, toasty, nostalgic, impossibly snackable… and just happens to pair ridiculously well with our sparkling wines Scoria and Royale III, or—if you’re in a bold red mood—our beloved Lava Red.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, setting out snacks for game night, or fueling après ski laughs with friends, this mix will disappear fast. (Fair warning: you may want to make a double batch.)
Bonus: They make the perfect Host/Hostess Gift when visiting loved ones over the holidays!
Easy Homemade Nuts & Bolts
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours, low + slow
Makes: One very large shareable bowl (or not… we won’t judge)
Dry Mix Ingredients
(Use these base ingredients—feel free to scale them up for a bigger batch!)
- 2 cups Cheerios
- 2 cups Shreddies (or similar woven wheat squares)
- 2 cups Chex cereal (any flavour—corn is classic)
- 2 cups Life cereal (corn squares)
- 2 cups pretzels (twists or sticks)
Seasoning Mixture
- ¾ cup butter
- 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder (optional but tasty)
- 1½ tsp seasoning salt
- ½ tsp celery salt (optional)
- ½ tsp garlic salt
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set to 225°F —low and slow is what makes this mix perfectly crisp without burning.
- Combine the Dry Mix: In a very large bowl, combine the Cheerios, Shreddies, Chex, Life cereal, and pretzels.
- Melt + Mix Your Seasoning: In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in Worcestershire and all spices until fragrant.
- Coat the Dry Mix: Pour the seasoned butter evenly over your cereal mixture, tossing gently to ensure full coverage.
- Bake to Golden Crunchiness: Spread the mixture over two large rimmed baking sheets.
Bake for 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to ensure even crisping. - Cool + Store: Let the mix cool completely before storing in airtight containers.
Wine Pairings: Because Snacks Should Sparkle Too
This humble bowl of crunchy, savoury magic becomes next-level when paired with the right wine.
Scoria — Foch Sparkling
The buttery Worcestershire seasoning and toasted cereal aromas meet Scoria’s bright acidity in the most addictive way.
Crisp bubbles lift the richness and keep you coming back for “just one more handful.”
Royale III — Blanc de Blancs
Royale III’s toasty notes shine against the salty, savoury mix.
Try a handful heavy on Shreddies with a sip—pure winter bliss.
Lava Red
If you’re craving something cozy and bold, Lava Red’s warm dark fruit and soft tannins pair beautifully with the toasty, savoury flavours.
A Perfect Homemade Gift
This mix makes an incredible holiday food gift—especially when bundled in a festive jar or bag next to a bottle of Scoria, Royale III, or Lava Red.
It’s simple, thoughtful, delicious… and guaranteed to win you “best gift giver” accolades at any holiday exchange.
