Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts are a delicious appetizer that combines the savory flavor of bacon with the crunchy texture of water chestnuts, all dressed-up in a sweet, savory, and tangy sauce. This classic dish is perfect for the holidays, parties, or any get together where you want to totally impress your guests with most tasty appetizers!

Why You’ll Love Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts

My mom used to make this dish every single Christmas, and it holds such a special place in my heart. The combination of crispy bacon and crunchy water chestnuts makes this a popular appetizer unique. It’s sure to be a big hit!

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts are:

• Easy to Make: This recipe is simple to follow and doesn’t require any complex cooking methods or equipment.
• Versatile: You can serve these at holiday parties, football season gatherings, or any special occasion. My mom always made bacon-wrapped water chestnuts on Christmas Eve, and it is a treasured family memory that I have picked up as a tradition with my kids.
• Flavorful: The mix of soy sauce, ketchup, and brown sugar glaze creates a savory and slightly sweet flavor that complements the saltiness of the bacon.
• Crowd-Pleaser: These are always a big hit at parties, and everyone loves the crunch of the water chestnuts wrapped in crispy bacon. This is truly one of my favorite appetizers. It also has a nostalgic, retro appeal.

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Making Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts is super easy. Here’s what you’ll need to pull from the pantry. As always, you can find a recipe card with detailed, printable instructions, toward the bottom of this post.

Ingredients

• 2 cans of whole water chestnuts, drained (8 oz. each)
• 1 pound of bacon (package of bacon), cut in half
• 1 cups brown sugar, packed (light or dark is okay)
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• Wooden toothpicks

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step One: Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that your oven is hot enough to cook the bacon to a crisp texture while allowing the water chestnuts to maintain their crunch.

Step Two: Take the bacon slices and cut each piece of bacon in half. Please note, you’ll want to avoid thick cut bacon, as it can take too long to cook properly. Wrap a half slice of bacon around each whole water chestnut. To keep the bacon in place, secure it with a wooden toothpick.

Step Three: Next, prepare a baking sheet by placing a wire rack on top. The wire rack allows the bacon grease to drip down onto the baking sheet, helping the bacon to cook evenly and become crispy. If you don’t have a wire rack, you can use aluminum foil on the baking sheet instead. Place each bacon-wrapped water chestnut on the wire rack, making sure they are arranged in a single layer without touching.

Step Four: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the bacon-wrapped water chestnuts for 30 to 55 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your bacon. If you prefer crisp bacon, bake closer to 55 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to avoid burning.

Step Five: While the bacon-wrapped water chestnuts are baking, it’s time to make the sauce. In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup, brown sugar, and soy sauce until well combined. This sweet brown sugar and soy sauce mixture adds a delicious glaze to the bacon-wrapped water chestnuts.

Step Six: Once the bacon is cooked to your desired crispness, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Pour the sauce into the glass baking dish, and then neatly arrange the bacon-wrapped water chestnuts in rows in the sauce. You can use a pastry brush to spread the sauce up onto the tops of the water chestnuts.

Step Seven: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes. This allows the sauce to caramelize and the bacon to absorb all the flavors. Once done, remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.

Substitutions and Variations

There are several ways to customize this classic appetizer to suit your preferences or use up leftovers:

• Holiday Leftovers: Substitute leftover holiday turkey, little smokies, or ham for the water chestnuts. Wrap the meat with bacon and follow the same steps.
• Different Sauces: Experiment with different sauces like chili sauce, BBQ sauce, or try adding garlic powder to the glaze for extra flavor.
• Pineapple Paradise: Try wrapping large chunks of pineapple with the bacon and follow the same steps. This results in a tasty appetizer!
• Sauce Swap: Don’t have soy sauce on hand? You can also use Worcestershire sauce for a salty and savory depth of flavor.

Best Tips

To ensure your Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts turn out perfectly, here are some tips:

• Crispy Bacon: Use center-cut bacon or thinner bacon slices for crispier results. Thick-cut bacon may take longer to cook.
• Wire Rack: If you don’t have a wire rack, use parchment paper or aluminum foil on a baking sheet to prevent sticking and allow even cooking.
• Avoid Soggy Bacon: Make sure to bake the chestnuts until the bacon is crispy before adding the sauce. This prevents the bacon from becoming soggy.
• Regulate the Salt: You can choose to use low-sodium soy sauce if you’re sensitive to salt. I find that the regular soy sauce is perfect for our taste.
• Make Ahead: Prepare the wrapped chestnuts recipe ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. You can bake them just before serving for a make-ahead appetizer.

How to Store Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

To store any leftover Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts, follow these steps:

• Refrigeration: Place the leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. You can store leftovers for up to 3 days. You can also simple cover the cooled baking dish tightly with foil, and then pop the dish right in the oven to reheat.
• Reheating: Reheat the leftovers in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes, or until warmed through. This helps maintain the crispiness of the bacon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh water chestnuts instead of canned?

Yes, you can use fresh water chestnuts if you prefer. They have a slightly crisper texture than canned ones. Simply peel and slice them before using. Please note that I prefer and highly recommend using the canned water chestnuts.

Do water bacon-wrapped water chestnuts stay crunchy when cooked?

Yes! That’s the lovely thing about water chestnuts. They stay nice and crunchy throughout the whole cooking process.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the bacon wrapped water chestnuts in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Bake them just before serving to ensure they are crispy and fresh. Making ahead is a great way to save time on busy holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve.

How do I prevent the bacon from sticking to the baking sheet?

As the recipe indicates, I like using a wire rack which allows good cooking airflow, and allows the bacon grease to drip away. You can make cleanup easier by lining the baking sheet with foil.

Can I freeze Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts?

Yes, you can freeze them before baking. Wrap the chestnuts in bacon, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container. Bake them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts are a delicious appetizer recipe that’s sure to be a hit at your next family gathering. Whether you’re serving them at holiday parties or enjoying them during football season, these bacon appetizers are a great fun to make and always impress people! The combination of smoky bacon and crunchy water chestnuts, coated in a sweet brown sugar glaze, makes them a favorite among guests.

I’m so thrilled to share this treasured family recipe with all of you. Hope you love them as much as we do!

More Delicious Appetizers

• Warm Cheesy Bacon Dip
• Crock Pot Meatballs
• Crock Pot Little Smokies