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.
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.
- 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.
- Bake: Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Sauce: Combine brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and ketchup in a small saucepan. Cook on medium heat until sugar dissolves.
- Bake Again: Spread sauce over water chestnuts and bake again for another 20 minutes or until bacon is cooked.
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.
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.
*** 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
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.
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!
So yummy! I substituted organic uncured turkey bacon and coconut sugar for a healthy version! Love this recipe!!
You are awesome. Thanks. I will try it and let you know how it goes.
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?
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?
Hi Kara! I have personally not tried substituting but from what information I can find it looks like it would work.
Hi! Would I be able to use turkey bacon for this recipe as a substitute?
Yes, Turkey bacon should work fine
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.
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!
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.
I have had these. They are so darned delicious I would have to make a dozen batches at a time 🙂
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..
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?
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!!
Is there a way to make these ahead of time and reheat?
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.
That’s what I’m doing!
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.
So happy everyone liked them!