Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Name: Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 16 ounces canned whole water chestnuts, 2 (8-ounce) cans (drained and rinsed); 1 pound bacon (cut in half); 1/4 cup soy sauce; 3/4 cup ketchup; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts are the perfect combination of crunchy, sweet, and savory. It’s an easy, classic small-bite appetizer recipe that is perfect for your next party.

bacon wrapped water chestnuts on a baking rack

Adding these little one-bite wonders to your party menu is a no brainer. This Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts recipe is truly a crowd pleaser that no one can resist. Kind of like our BBQ Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies and Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers.

Wrap it in bacon and they will come.

Table of Contents

Why It Works
How To Make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
FAQs
How To Serve
Variations
Storage and Reheating
Expert Tips
More Finger Foods for Parties
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe

Why It Works

Only 6 Ingredients – Simple, easy to find, pantry ingredients.
Make Ahead Friendly – You can prepare in advance and then bake when ready to serve.
Sweet and Savory – Is there any better combination than brown sugar and bacon?!
Classy and elegant, but ready to party – The name sounds super fancy, but they’re just as perfect for tailgating as they are for ringing in the new year.

Ingredients Needed for Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

You only need six simple ingredients to make this easy, classic recipe.

Water Chestnuts – you’ll need 2 cans of whole water chestnuts. You can find them in the Asian aisle of the grocery store.
Bacon – I prefer using classic cut bacon vs thick cut bacon as it crisps up better. Center cuts will give you less fat and more meat.
Soy Sauce – I prefer low sodium.
Ketchup – for tanginess and the base for the sauce.
Brown Sugar – light or dark brown sugar for the sweet glaze.
Worcestershire Sauce
Toothpicks – to hold the bacon in place.

How To Make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Be sure to check the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions.

This bite-sized appetizer is so easy to make with just a few simple steps!

Prep Water Chestnuts. Drain, rinse and pat the water chestnuts dry. Then marinate in soy sauce for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
Preheat. When ready to bake, preheat the oven and line a baking sheet with foil and top with a baking rack. I like to give it all a spray with cooking spray so nothing sticks.
Wrap Water Chestnuts. Wrap each chestnut with a half slice of bacon and use a toothpick to secure. Add the wrapped chestnuts to the baking rack.
Bake. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes..
Make Sauce. While they are baking, whisk together Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and ketchup in a medium bowl. Remove the chestnuts from the oven and brush with the sauce.
Bake Again. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes or so until the bacon is crispy and caramelized.
Serve. Sprinkle with fresh minced parsley and serve.

collage of 2 images showing how to wrapp bacon around a water chestnut

collage of images showing how to bake water chestnuts with bacon

FAQs

Do I need to rinse canned water chestnuts?

I do recommend rinsing and draining the water chestnuts before using. This will get rid of any flavor from the aluminum.

Can I make these ahead of time?

It’s always a good idea to keep an easy appetizer on hand and the bacon water chestnuts can be prepped and frozen until you’re ready to party. Just wrap in bacon, flash freeze on a baking sheet, and transfer to a freezer container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, bake as directed.

What do water chestnuts taste like?

Canned water chestnuts from the grocery store have a nice, crunchy texture but don’t have much flavor, but when cooked they can easily take on whatever flavor they are mixed with. The texture is somewhere between an apple and a pear, with a taste similar to jicama, but not as sweet.

What are water chestnuts?

They are definitely not a nut, but actually a vegetable that grows under the water. They have a crunchy texture and are sold in cans, packed in water, in the international food aisle of the grocery store.

Can I make these in a slow cooker?

You can! Wrap up and bake at 375℉ for 15 minutes. Pour the sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker, then add the water chestnuts and cook (covered) for 2 hours.

Can I make these in an air fryer?

You can do that too! Preheat your air fryer to 375℉ and cook for 5 minutes. Brush with the sauce and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until the bacon is nice and crispy. The cook time will really depend on your unit.

How To Serve

To serve the Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts at your party, keep the toothpicks in and transfer to a platter while they’re still warm. Guests can use the toothpick to pick and eat them. I also like to serve them with the extra sauce in a small bowl for dipping.

Variations

Spicy – For a kick, try adding just a teaspoon or two of chili garlic sauce or Sriracha to the marinade, or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Cheesy – Add a little cheese, such as goat cheese, underneath the bacon when wrapping.
BBQ Sauce – Instead of ketchup, try swapping in your favorite barbecue sauce.

Storage and Reheating

Storage – Like most snacks, these should not be left out more than two hours. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Freezing – This recipe is freezer friendly! After baking, cool to room temperature then freeze on a baking sheet. Once frozen you can transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before reheating.
Reheating – The leftovers can be reheated in a 350 degrees F oven for about 10 to 15 minutes until warmed.

Expert Tips

Keep Warm in a Slow Cooker – While these can be eaten at room temperature, you can also place them in a slow cooker after cooking and keep warm for up to 4 hours.
Use Classic Cut Bacon – Use your favorite bacon, but classic cut vs thick cut will crisp up better in the oven.

bacon wrapped water chestnuts in a pile, a bite in one

More Finger Foods for Parties

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