Nuts and Bolts Recipe

Nuts and Bolts Recipe: Or sometimes called “Texas Trash” or simply a homemade chex mix recipe, this seasoned snack is perfect for the holidays or to eat all year long!

Why you’ll love this recipe

Although you can eat this snack ANY time of year, for some reason it’s an absolute favorite recipe for around the holidays!

So if you love a salty snack to snack on, this should be it! (Well, next to these spicy ranch crackers.) So much better than storebought or pre-packaged chex mix, this “nuts and bolts” snack is a savory treat! However, if you love more of a sweet mix, you’ll love these hot chocolate muddy buddies!

Jump to:

• Why you’ll love this recipe
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• How to Serve Homemade Chex Mix
• How to store leftover chex mix
• Substitutions
• Snack Gift Idea
• Nuts and Bolts Recipe

Ingredients

This recipe uses simple ingredients! See which ones below…

• 3 cups Rice Chex
• 3 cups Corn Chex
• 3 cups Cheerios
• 2 cups pretzel sticks
• 1 cup mixed nuts
• 6 tablespoon butter – melted
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoon seasoned salt (we used Season All)
• 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

See the full recipe card toward the bottom of this post for ingredients and instructions all in one place!

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, combine Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Cheerios, pretzel sticks and mixed nuts.

3. Top with melted butter and Worcestershire sauce.
4. Add remaining dry seasonings, toss well.
5. Spread onto two large baking sheets. Cook for approximately 45-50 minutes, tossing every 15 minutes.

6. Remove from oven and let cool. ENJOY!

How to Serve Homemade Chex Mix

If you’re hosting a holiday party, it’s a fantastic way to allow guests to snack on before or after a meal.

Simply place the “nuts and bolts” in a few small bowls and place them around the room where everyone will be hanging out. You can even place small plates or clear cups, along with a scoop or tongs, next to the bowls so guests can grab and go!

If making it to snack on at home, you can keep it in one container, and my favorite is a large mason jar or cookie jar!

How to store leftover chex mix

Store any, cooled, leftover snack mix in an airtight container. It can stay on the counter for up to 4-6 weeks! (If it lasts that long!)

Substitutions

If you only have or can only find similar ingredients to the ones listed, that’s absolutely ok!

For instance, if you can only find twist pretzels instead of sticks, or even flavored pretzels, that should be just fine! (Do note if you use flavored pretzels like honey mustard, etc. it could alter the taste (and saltiness) of the entire recipe so use flavored or seasoned ingredients cautiously.

Only have Rice Chex? Or only have Corn Chex? Use two of the same kinds! Although we prefer a mixture of the two different kinds, it’s not the end of the world if you can only use one kind.

Note: Using a honey nut Cheerio may add more of a sweetness and may not be a good flavor combination with the savory ingredients.

Snack Gift Idea

Love how easy this is to make? Double or triple the recipe (see easy to calculate buttons below in the recipe card) and make a large batch to give as gifts for teachers, mail carriers, delivery drivers, co-workers, and more!

Package it up in adorable kraft window bags and tie with a ribbon and use these free gift tags!