Nuts n' Bolts Recipe thats Gluten-Free and Delish!

Gluten-Free Nuts and Bolts

It is the Autumn of 2026, time to make Gluten-free Nuts and Bolts! Great for get-togethers, and holiday snacks like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I thought it was time for an update, since gluten-free products I need for this recipe have change in my local stores.

Here are the products I could find this year (2026). Some are the same and some are different.

This year I couldn't fine Heinz gluten-free Worcestershire sauce. Instead French's gluten-free Worcestershire sauce is readily available in my area. Tastes great. And look at that, they have the Celiac Canada gluten-free symbol. Always makes my day, as I know it is safe for sure.

This year I couldn't find Love Grown Power O's anywhere. But, I did spot Farm Girl's Honey O's. They worked out well. They are a little sweet, but the family actually likes it. I've noticed that some Nuts and Bolts recipes call for sugar or maple syrup, so slightly sweet cereal works.

I used Zesty cheese nachos (gluten-free) instead of the nacho cheese Doritos. Packaging is a little different, but they may be the same? I also added cashews this year. Otherwise, the ingredients haven't changed.

I did a quick look online and found some other gluten-free cereal brand alternatives.

On well.ca:

• One Degree Organic Gluten-free Cereal Sprouted Oat O's
  
• Nature's Path Organic Whole O's Cereal Gluten-Free
  

On naturamarket.ca:

• Farm Girl High-Protein Cereal Honey O's
  
• Three Wishes Gluten-free Protein Cereal Unsweetened 
  
• Truely Cereal
  

Above are photos of the process of making my 2026 version of Gluten-free Nuts and Bolts, so you can see the process, from just the cereals, the seasoned butter sauce, after mixing the sauce in and then after baking.

Previous Gluten-free Nuts and Bolts Blog:

Below shows what I have done in previous years, using the gluten-free ingredients I could find at that time.

Perfect snack for holidays and parties. This is my gluten-free version of Nuts n' Bolts. This snack is very versatile. You can add whatever gluten-free ingredients you enjoy.

Looking for more Holiday blogs? Check these out!

• Gluten Free Gingerbread cookies (New Blog!)
• My 2024 Gluten-Free Advent Calendar Choices!
• Gluten-Free Christmas Crack Recipe

Above are the basic ingredients I've used in the past. This year (2026) I was unable to get Love Grown Original Power O's and the Schar Cheese Bites. Previously,  I was unable to find gluten-free certified peanuts, so I omited them. You can use whatever gluten-free certified nuts you like. I buy Yupik, Elan or Prana Brands because they are certified gluten-free and available in my area. If you'd like to learn more about them here are links to their websites. Note: I'm not affilliated with them and purchase them myself.

1. Yupik https://yupik.com/en/
2. Elan https://www.elanbio.com/
3. Prana https://www.pranasnacks.com/en_ca/

The Love Grown Original Power O's are great. They are gluten-free, taste good, and don't have any sweetener in them. Here is a link to their website if you'd like to learn more. They are as close to Cheerios that I can find where I live in Canada. Cheerios are not safe for celiacs, in Canada, they had to remove the gluten-free label because they do not meet our gluten-free labelling laws criteria. If you would like to know more about this, here is a link to the Canadian Celiac Association's website.

Unfortunately, in 2026 I found it very hard to find Love Grown Original Power O's cereal in my area, and therefore used Farm Girl instead. Farm Girl Honey O's are gluten-free and a little sweet, and they actually worked out well.

Chex Rice gluten-free cereal is my main ingredient. Here is a link to their website if you'd like to learn more about them.These delicious gluten-free cerels are readily available in my grocery stores. You could change up the flavour, and use other gluten-free Chex, such as the peanut or chocolate flavours.

The only gluten-free pretzels I can find in my area are Glutino's Pretzels. I like them, but I do find the pretzels can be salty. If you don't like your mix too salty then maybe only add 1 cup of Glutino Pretzels and substitute an extra cup of Chex. Here is a link to their website to find out more about their products.

I love adding Schar's gluten-free Cheese Bites, I sometimes add an extra bag after baking to enhance the cheesy flavour. Here is a link to their Canadian website. I'm not sure if they are still selling them in Canada as they don't show up on their Canadian website. This year is was difficult to find them. Has anyone else had this issue? In 2026, I now can't find them at all and I'm looking for an alternative.

I add Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips to my mix, because I think it adds another level of spice and crunch. They are gluten-free. For more information about their products here is a link to their website. I was so happy when I found out they were gluten-free. I usually break them up a little before adding.

I used Heinz Worcestershire sauce in the past, but in 2026 I can't find it, and have switched to French's which is labelled gluten-free. If you can still find Heinz then according to their website they do label wheat and barley if used as an ingredient, and Canadian ingredient labelling laws state that if a product may contain gluten it must state so in the ingredient list.

Check out the Canadian Celiac Association's website regarding labelling regulations in Canada. I feel comfortable using this sauce. Here is a link to check out what Heinz says about gluten in their products. 

As stated above, I also buy French's Worcestershire Sauce, when I can find it. It is labelled gluten-free on their website. Link here. 

I have tried The Wizard's gluten-free worcestershire sauce. It is ok, but not the same as French's or Heinz's. Sorry, I couldn't find their website. If you know it please let me know. I like the taste of worcestershire sauce, and add the full 3 tablespoons, but if you don't like a strong flavour then stick to just 2 tablespoons.

I prefer to use my large enamel roasting pan, but feel free to use what you have on hand. You just pour all the cereal, chips, crackers and nuts in the pan, then melt the butter and mix in the seasonings and pour over the dry ingredients. Give it a stir and toast in the oven at 250 F for about 1 1/2 hours. You must stir the mixture every 15 to 20 minutes. Then take out of the oven. Cool and put in a air tight container.

Gluten-Free Nuts N' Bolts

Ingredients

• 3 cups gluten-free Rice Chex Cereal
• 2 cups gluten-free Love Grown Power O's Cereal Farm Girl's Honey O's
• 2 cups gluten-free Glutino Pretzels
• 2 cups gluten-free Schar Cheese Bites (if you can't find just add more of the other ingredients)
• 2 cups gluten-free Doritos Nacho Cheese Chips, slightly crunched up
• 1 cup gluten-free certified nuts (peanuts, almonds, cashews) If you can't find or don't like nuts just add a cup of one of the other ingredients you like.
• 3/4 cup melted butter
• 2-3 Tablespoons gluten-free Worcestershire Sauce you like (I like French's or Heinz in Canada)
• 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
• 2 Tablespoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 250 F
2. In a large casserole dish or roasting pan, put the first five ingredients
3. Melt the butter in the microwave in a bowl or 2 cup measuring cup or on the stove in a pan. Then add the next five ingredients and mix until well combined.
4. Pour the butter sauce over the dry ingredients and mix well. Then put uncovered into the oven.
5. Bake in the oven for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring every 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and let cool. Store in an air tight container or ziplock bag.

Feel free to adjust this recipe to your tastes. I sometimes make some popcorn and add the nuts n bolts mixture to it. I adjusted the recipe, to what I have on hand, or to what I can find at the grocery store. I don't know about your grocery stores, but mine don't always stock the same gluten-free products week after week. Just be careful to buy gluten-free certified nuts if you are using them.

What is your favourite mixture? Do you make Nuts n Bolts as part of your holiday treats?

Note: These are my personal experiences and opinions. I have purchased all items myself. Always seek out a medical opinion for medical concerns.