Classic Bits And Bites Recipes

HOMEMADE BITS AND BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250F.
• Mix Cheese Bits, Mini Ritz, Cheerios, Shreddies and pretzels together in a large roasting pan (the kind used for turkey or large roast beef).
• Whisk the remaining ingredients together in a separate bowl until well mixed. Pour the butter mixture over the bits and bites. Using a wooden spoon, mix well to make sure all the bits and bites are coated in the butter mixture. Sometimes there are some that stick in the corners or bottom and do not get coated. Be sure to stir into the bottom of the pan and draw them up.
• Bake in the oven for about 2 hours. Stir the bits and bites every 15 minutes, pulling the ones at the bottom up to the top. After the 2 hours, the moisture should all be gone. If not and some of the pieces are still moist, bake another 15-30 minutes.
• Once cool, bag and seal the bits and bites so they stay fresh and crispy.

GRANDMA JENSEN'S NUTS AND BOLTS

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C). Combine the wheat cereal, corn cereal, rice cereal, oat cereal, cheese-flavored crackers, pretzels, and mixed nuts in a large bowl; set aside.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce until evenly blended. Pour over the cereal mixture, and gently stir until the cereal is evenly coated with the seasoned butter. Spread the cereal mixture onto baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature before storing in an airtight container.

BUTTERY BITS AND BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Position rack in the centre spot.
• In a 6 cup capacity bowl melt butter and add Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and set aside.
• Mix all spices together in a shaker. (Empty spice jar.). Set aside.
• In a very large vessel, I use a very clean kitchen sink, combine nuts, pretzels, crackers and cereal.
• Ladle one ladleful of the butter mixture over the cereal mixture then sprinkle a little of the spice mixture on top. Toss to coat. Ladle another ladleful of the butter mixture over cereal, sprinkle with seasonings and toss to coat. Repeat these steps until all ingredients have been combined. This method stops clumping of spice in the Chex and Cheerios.
• Divide the mixture into 2 large turkey roasting pans, either aluminium or enamel. I use both the top and bottom of a large rectangular enamel roasting pan.
• Place one pan in the oven, uncovered for one hour. Stir every 20 minutes.
• Now, cover the pan with foil, place back in the oven for 1 more hour, stirring every 20 minutes.
• Repeat for additional pans of snack mixture.
• Allow mixture to cool thoroughly before placing in air tight containers to store. This recipe freezes well.

BITS N BITES

Steps:

• Mix all dry ingredients together in a large roasting pan.
• Toss to mix.
• Mix oil, garlic powder, seasoned salt and worcestershire sauce together in a large measuring cup.
• Whisk together, it will want to separate, so keep whisking while you pour over dry ingredients.
• Mix thoroughly.
• Bake at 250 uncovered, for 1 1/2 hours Mixing every 20 minute.
• Allow to cool, enjoy!

NUTS AND BOLTS

Steps:

• Combine cereals, pretzels and nuts. In a small saucepan, melt butter; stir in seasonings. Pour over cereal mixture; toss to coat. Spread in an ungreased 15x10-in. rimmed pan. Bake at 250° 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container.

NANA B'S NUTS AND BOLTS (BITS 'N BITES)

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Pour all dry ingredients into large turkey roaster and mix . In a small saucepan, melt butter and add Worchestershire sauce and spices, stirring well until spices are dissolved. Pour evenly over dry ingredients in a large turkey roaster, stir for at least five minutes, being sure to scoop sauce from bottom of pan into the dry ingredients so they are all well coated.
• 2. Cover and bake for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional hour, stirring at the half-hour mark. Cool and pack in airtight containers. (these do take a bit of time but are SO worth it!)