Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Today I wanted to share one of my very favorite appetizers! I would love for all of my readers to try these bacon-wrapped water chestnuts. They are the perfect appetizer to serve at any get-together whether at a Thanksgiving feast, Christmas dinner, or family gathering.

We always have a variety of appetizers spread out on the table or counter to snack on as we prepare the turkey or main dish and all of the sides that will be served at dinner. It is so fun to see what each person chooses. The appetizers tend to disappear rather quickly!

What I love about this appetizer is that it, along with any other appetizers, gathers the family together in the kitchen chatting and reminiscing as we each devour the appetizers in front of us.

Each bite-sized bacon-wrapped water chestnut is smothered in the most savory sauce! As the appetizer is cooking, the brown sugar starts to caramelize with the bacon, ketchup, and soy sauce.

The flavor is out of this world! I can’t wait to share the recipe with all of you! Let’s get to it!

Items You May Need In The Kitchen

• Mixing Bowl
• Baking Dish
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Cups
• A Good Knife
• Silicone Cutting Boards (these are my favorite)

Ingredients – Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts

• Whole Water Chestnuts: They offer a crisp and crunch texture with a sweet and mild, yet nutty flavor to this delicious appetizer! They are a corm, a type of bulbo-tuber vegetable plant, not an actual nut. They are grown underground in wet, marshy fields, rather than on a tree. It’s important to use a whole water chestnut vs. sliced due to being wrapped in the bacon. Adds fiber, calcium, potassium, carbohydrates, and vitamin C to this appetizer.
• Bacon: A salt-cured pork that is cut from the belly or back of the pig. Adds a little smokey flavor to any dish. Center cut bacon or thick-cut bacon is best! Adds protein to this appetizer.
• Ketchup: A tangy and sweet condiment that is made by mixing a tomato paste with sugar, vinegar, water, seasonings, and salt.
• Brown Sugar: A mixture of granulated white sugar and molasses. It’s added for flavor and to help maintain moisture. It caramelizes as it bakes, creating a robust rich flavor that makes these bacon-wrapped water chestnuts truly incredible!
• Soy Sauce: A savory and salty caramel-colored sauce made from soybeans, salt, wheat, and a fermenting agent such as yeast or koji mold.
• Dry Mustard Powder: Made from ground mustard seeds. When combined with the wet ingredients, it releases the oils it contains, which adds a delicious robust kick of flavor to this appetizer!

Instructions

Step One: Gather The Ingredients – Preheat Oven – Grease 9×13 Pan

Gather all of the ingredients that you will need to make this bacon-wrapped water chestnut appetizer. Preheat your oven to (375°F) = (190°C). Grease a 9″ by 13″ inch pan or rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

Step Two: Cut the Bacon Into Thirds

Cut the package(s) of uncooked raw bacon into thirds. This creates the perfect sized strips of bacon to wrap the water chestnuts.

Step Three: Wrap the Chestnuts and Secure them with Toothpicks

Wrap a piece of raw bacon around one water chestnut and secure it with a toothpick. Place the bacon-wrapped chestnuts in the greased pan. Continue to wrap each water chestnut with a piece of bacon until all the chestnuts are wrapped.

Step Four: Bake The Chestnuts As Directed

Bake uncovered for 20 minutes at (375°F) = (190°C).

Step Five: Remove The Grease Carefully

Then, drain the fat from the pan. This is the hardest part of the whole recipe. Be careful!

Step Six: Combine the Sauce Ingredients

It is time to make a delicious and savory sauce! Place the ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and dry mustard in a small bowl and whisk until smooth.

Step Seven: Pour The Sauce Over the Baked Chestnuts

Next, cover the baked bacon-wrapped chestnuts with this sauce mixture.

Step Eight: Bake The Chestnuts for Another 20 minutes

Finally, bake for an additional 20-30 minutes. Allow the pan to cool on a cooling rack for a short time. Enjoy!

Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe

Can these bacon-wrapped water chestnuts be made ahead of time?

These bacon-wrapped water chestnuts are a great appetizer to make ahead of time! I would recommend wrapping the water chestnuts with the bacon and sealing with the toothpick and placing them in the greased pan.

Do not cook or add the sauce at this point! I would then store the pan in the fridge for no longer than 2-3 days prior to cooking. When ready, make the sauce and cook as instructed in the recipe.

Can I use Worcestershire sauce or sriracha in this bacon-wrapped water chestnut appetizer?

I really love the flavor of the soy sauce combined with the other ingredients to make the sauce for this appetizer. You can swap out the soy sauce for Worcestershire sauce if you would like. It will give it a little bit of a different flavor.

Worcestershire sauce is typically made with anchovies, onion powder, garlic powder, and molasses. Worcestershire sauce tends to be a low-sodium sauce whereas soy sauce has less sugar.

It might be fun to try making the sauce both ways and see what you and your family prefer.

Adding a bit of sriracha may also be fun, but remember a little goes a long way!

Can these bacon-wrapped water chestnuts be cooked in an air fryer?

I’m not sure I can recommend cooking these in an air fryer because of the excess bacon grease. I’m all about easy clean-up, baking these in the oven is a lot easier. Plus, you need to remove the excess grease and drizzle the sauce over them and bake them for a few more minutes.

Can I use something other than water chestnuts in this recipe?

I highly recommend using water chestnuts in this appetizer recipe! There is something really delicious with the taste of the bacon, the crisp crunch of the water chestnut, and the sauce that is absolutely amazing!

If you decide to swap it out, I feel that chunks of pineapple or little smokies may be good alternatives.

Love this appetizer recipe. Check out some of my other favorites!

• 5 Ingredient Pineapple Cream Cheese Dip
• Quick And Easy Spicy Meatball Appetizer Recipe
• Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Spread
• Stuffed Baked Sausage Mushrooms Recipe
• Spinach Artichoke Dip

Final Word

Please let me know if you make these savory bacon-wrapped water chestnuts! The taste of the bacon and water chestnuts combined with the sauce is a mouthful of flavors that will make everyone want to go back for another serving and another!

This bite-sized appetizer is perfect for any occasion! We love serving it as a Thanksgiving feast, Christmas dinner, Easter brunch, or any family get-together. May God Bless this World, Linda.

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