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    Home » Appetizers

    Bacon wrapped water chestnuts

    Published: May 26, 2020 · Modified: Mar 9, 2023 by heather · This post may contain affiliate links

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    These bacon wrapped water chestnuts are by far one of the most requested appetizers from friends. Water chestnuts wrapped in bacon slathered in a brown sugar glaze, these tasty bites are a huge hit at any gathering. 

    I am a big fan of food wrapped in bacon like bacon wrapped asparagus, bacon wrapped pineapple and bacon wrapped little smokies.  

    bacon wrapped water chestnuts on a plate

    What to make with water chestnuts?

    This recipe is probably in my top 5 favorite appetizers. If you have a can of water chestnuts in your pantry I would consider giving these a try. Some people refer to this as Rumaki

    The perfect balance of salty and sweet and of course the crunch, makes these irresistible. 

    Why this recipe works

    • Great bite-sized, easy to pick up appetizer perfect for parties. 
    • Easy to make with few ingredients. 

    Ingredients needed

    Water Chestnuts – What is a water chestnut anyway? It’s not a nut and not a chestnut. It’s actually a vegetable that lives under the water. You can usually find them in a can in the international aisle of the grocery store. 

    Bacon – I like to use center cut bacon because it typically has less fat. Feel free to use your favorite bacon, I would suggest not using the thick cut to ensure that it crisps up.

    Brown sugar – Part of the delicious glaze. Adds a sweet compliment to the bacon.

    Worcestershire sauce – Another ingredient for the sauce.

    Ketchup – The base for the sauce. 

    Toothpicks – Used to hold bacon in place.

    How to make bacon wrapped water chestnuts

    Scroll down for full, printable recipe, ingredients and video.

    1. Wrap: Make sure to cut each bacon slice into three pieces. Wrap a piece of bacon around one water chestnut and put toothpick through the center to hold in place. 
    2. Bake: Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.
    3. Sauce: Combine brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and ketchup in a small saucepan. Cook on medium heat until sugar dissolves. 
    4. Bake Again: Spread sauce over water chestnuts and bake again for another 20 minutes or until bacon is cooked. 

    Ingredients for bacon wrapped water chestnuts, chestnuts wrapped in bacon on foil, sauce in pan and finished bacon wrapped water chestnuts

    Can you make in air fryer?

    This recipe uses the oven as the cooking method but you could make bacon wrapped water chestnuts in the air fryer. Cook at 390 degrees F for 5 minutes then cover in sauce and cook another 3-4 minutes. 

    Can you make Keto friendly bacon wrapped water chestnuts?

    Yes! To make these Keto friendly, replace the sauce with sugar free BBQ sauce. 

    Can you make ahead of time?

    Yes! Wrap the water chestnuts with bacon and freeze on a baking sheet. Store in airtight container. When ready to eat, thaw, and then bake and sauce according to recipe. 

    How to store bacon wrapped water chestnuts

    • These will last up to 2 hours at room temperature if you have them out at a party. You could also keep them in a warm slow cooker to help keep them hot for a gathering.
    • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
    • These will stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

    water chestnuts wrapped in bacon on a serving dish

    More of our favorite appetizers

    • Chipped beef dip – Creamy dip with dried beef. 
    • Vegetable pinwheels – Beautiful pinwheels with colorful vegetables wrapped with a creamy spread and tortilla. 
    • Sausage balls – One of our family favorites. 
    • Hot sausage beer cheese dip – One of the most popular appetizers on the blog. 
    • 50 Popular appetizers – A collection of 50 of the best appetizer recipes.

    *** If you made this recipe, feel free to leave a comment and star rating below. 

    Watch full how to make bacon wrapped water chestnuts video below. 

    Bacon wrapped water chestnuts on plate.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    4.61 from 38 votes

    Bacon wrapped water chestnuts

    Bacon Wrapped Water chestnuts are by far one of the most requested appetizers from friends. Water chestnuts wrapped in bacon slathered in a brown sugar glaze, these tasty bites are always the first thing to go at a party.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time50 mins
    Total Time1 hr 5 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: bacon wrapped water chestnuts
    Servings: 15
    Calories: 80kcal
    Author: Heather

    Ingredients

    • 1 can whole water chestnuts
    • 1 package of center cut bacon
    • 1 cup ketchup
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • toothpicks

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Cut the bacon slices in thirds and then wrap one piece around 1 water chestnut. Put toothpick through the bacon and water chestnut to secure the bacon.
    • Prepare a foil lined cookie sheet with non-stick spray and place the wrapped water chestnuts on the pan.
    • Bake for 25 minutes.
    • While the bacon wrapped water chestnuts are baking, add the ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce to small sauce pan. Cook on medium heat until brown sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
    • After 25 minutes, take out water chestnuts and cover them with the sauce. Bake again for 25 minutes. Serve warm.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 80kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Sodium: 170mg | Potassium: 81mg | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.2mg
    Tried this recipe?Follow me @foodlovinfamily or tag #foodlovinfamily!
    baconwaterchestnuts

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Barbara

      February 18, 2023 at 2:02 am

      I have made these many times and they are so good that there are no leftovers. I have company coming over the weekend and the husband requested I do the chestnuts for them.
      Thanks. Barb

      Reply
    2. Sheila

      December 24, 2022 at 8:30 pm

      These are a little time consuming, but so worth it! There is never any leftovers. I make for large Christmas gatherings and there is never enough. I make 3 lbs of bacon and end up putting in crockpot. Thank you we love these!

      Reply
    3. SANDRA K

      September 09, 2022 at 12:51 am

      5 stars
      Really good and nice and easy to make.

      Reply
    4. Tamera

      January 04, 2022 at 1:08 am

      I did make this, it was very good! Thank you!!

      Reply
    5. Georgiana Cave

      December 06, 2021 at 8:24 pm

      can you reheat? after fully baking….

      Reply
      • heather

        December 07, 2021 at 1:35 am

        Yes, they can be reheated in the oven, air fryer, or in the microwave.

        Reply
    6. Michelle

      October 10, 2021 at 11:59 pm

      The recipe says it makes 15 servings. How many pieces are in one serving? Or how many pieces does 1 recipe make? Thank you!

      Reply
      • heather

        October 11, 2021 at 1:21 am

        It will make about 15 wrapped water chestunuts. Enjoy!

        Reply
        • Michelle

          October 11, 2021 at 2:13 am

          Thank you. Is one package of bacon 1lb?

    7. Shelly stinson

      March 20, 2021 at 4:02 pm

      I love these. My daughter makes a jalapeño jelly and I put that in a bowl so you can dip the chestnuts in. Gives it a little bite!

      Reply
    8. Dotty Manney

      February 07, 2021 at 5:07 pm

      5 stars
      So yummy! I substituted organic uncured turkey bacon and coconut sugar for a healthy version! Love this recipe!!

      Reply
    9. Kara

      January 31, 2020 at 3:03 am

      You are awesome. Thanks. I will try it and let you know how it goes.

      Reply
    10. Kara

      January 30, 2020 at 1:22 am

      Trying to do low to no sugar in my diet. Is there a substitute for the brown sugar? I bought mom fruit golden sweetener. Would that work?

      Reply
      • Kara

        January 30, 2020 at 1:24 am

        I’m sorry for the typo. I bought Monk fruit golden sweetener to substitute brown sugar in a keto chocolate chip cookie recipe I’m trying. Would that work?

        Reply
        • heather

          January 30, 2020 at 3:42 pm

          Hi Kara! I have personally not tried substituting but from what information I can find it looks like it would work.

    11. Gillian

      January 01, 2020 at 6:19 pm

      Hi! Would I be able to use turkey bacon for this recipe as a substitute?

      Reply
      • heather

        January 01, 2020 at 7:48 pm

        Yes, Turkey bacon should work fine

        Reply
    12. Karla McClain

      December 31, 2019 at 10:27 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve been making these since my teens, I’m in my 60’s now. They are always a hit and much can be done in advance.
      In all the years of making these, I don’t believe there has ever been a time of having leftovers.
      Thank you for putting it online and sharing with all.

      Reply
    13. Glenda

      December 26, 2019 at 11:41 pm

      Thank you for re-introducing me to this appetizer. I had not made (or seen) them in years! They were a big hit!

      I also did a few with a pineapple chunk in them with the water chestnut. Yummy!

      Reply
    14. RMC

      November 27, 2018 at 3:06 am

      5 stars
      I made these for Thanksgiving appeziter. I tested the recipe first. I found that when I cooked them following the recipe the bacon got soggy. So I cooked them without the sauce and made the sauce for dipping. Everyone loved them.

      Reply
    15. Pat

      October 01, 2018 at 2:58 am

      5 stars
      I have had these. They are so darned delicious I would have to make a dozen batches at a time 🙂

      Reply
    16. Toni McGrevey

      December 23, 2016 at 9:29 pm

      I have made these for years…I actually cut bacon in thirds with kitchen shears..I don’t heat the sauce I just mix in measuring cup until sugar dissolves and pour over chestnuts and bake again…these are my go to for every family gathering or trip to a winery with the girls…never leftovers…darn..

      Reply
    17. Amanda

      December 21, 2016 at 1:12 pm

      Looks good! Do the chestnuts have to be from a can or can you use fresh ones from a airtight bag? Are they the same?
      Can you just use the sauce as a dipping sauce instead?

      Reply
      • heather

        December 21, 2016 at 5:49 pm

        Yes, use the water chestnuts in a can, they are different then the ones in a bag. You can definitely use the sauce as a dipping sauce instead. 🙂 Hope you enjoy them!!

        Reply
    18. Dani

      October 21, 2016 at 1:22 am

      Is there a way to make these ahead of time and reheat?

      Reply
      • heather

        October 21, 2016 at 1:23 pm

        I think they would be ok to reheat. I think I would reheat them in the oven when you are ready to eat. You could even wrap the bacon around the water chestnuts and then bake them with the sauce the next day.

        Reply
        • Vicki

          November 24, 2016 at 4:33 am

          5 stars
          That’s what I’m doing!

      • N.Rogers

        December 20, 2022 at 12:34 am

        Could you use a few sliced water chestnuts in place of 1 whole chestnuts? We don’t have whole chestnuts available.

        Reply
        • heather

          December 20, 2022 at 5:57 pm

          You probably could stack a few large sliced water chestnuts together.

    19. Sarah Britt

      December 13, 2015 at 1:50 pm

      I just made these for a neighborhood holiday party. I made three batches and it couldn’t have been easier. I got so many compliments and they were the first dish to disappear! Highly recommend.

      Reply
      • heather

        December 14, 2015 at 12:28 am

        So happy everyone liked them!

        Reply

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