Bacon wrapped water chestnuts
May 26, 2020, Updated Mar 24, 2024
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These bacon wrapped water chestnuts are by far one of the most requested appetizers from friends AND one of the most viewed recipes on this site. Water chestnuts are wrapped in bacon and slathered in a brown sugar glaze to make tasty bites that are always a huge hit.
If you want more bacon wrapped food try this bacon wrapped asparagus, bacon wrapped pineapple, and bacon wrapped little smokies.
This recipe is probably one of 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 these are Rumaki, but we just call them bacon wrapped water chestnuts. They are the perfect balance of salty and sweet with a crunch that makes them irresistible.
What are water chestnuts?
Water chestnuts are not nuts and they definitely are not chestnuts. They are actually a vegetable that lives under the water.
Ingredients needed
- Water chestnuts – You can typically 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, however, I would suggest not using thick cut bacon to ensure that it crisps up.
- Brown sugar – This makes the delicious, sweet glaze.
- Worcestershire sauce – A savory ingredient for the glaze.
- Ketchup – This is the base of the glaze sauce.
- Toothpicks – You will need these to hold the water chestnut and bacon together.
How to make bacon wrapped water chestnuts
Scroll down for full, printable recipe, ingredients and video.
- Wrap: Make sure to cut each piece of bacon into three pieces. Wrap a piece of bacon around one water chestnut and put a toothpick through the center to hold the bacon in place.
- Bake: Place them 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 the brown sugar dissolves. Make sure to stir so that the sauce doesn’t burn.
- Bake again: Spread the sauce over each bacon wrapped water chestnut. Bake again for another 20 minutes or until the bacon is cooked.
Can you make these in the air fryer?
Yes, this recipe uses the oven as the cooking method but you can make bacon wrapped water chestnuts in the air fryer. Cook them at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes. Cover them in the sauce and then cook another 5-6 minutes or until bacon has cooked.
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 bacon wrapped water chestnuts ahead of time?
They can be made ahead of time by wrapping the bacon around the water chestnut and securing with a toothpick. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 24 hours ahead of time.
How to store leftovers
These will last up to 2 hours at room temperature if you are serving them at a party. You can also keep them warm in a slow cooker to keep them hot.
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Reheat in the oven, air fryer, or microwave.
You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
More of our favorite appetizers
- Chipped beef dip – Creamy dip with dried beef.
- Sausage balls – One of our family favorites made with 3 ingredients.
- Hot sausage beer cheese dip – A delicious, hot dip with sausage and beer cheese.
- Chicken wings – Baked chicken wings.
If you made these bacon wrapped water chestnuts let me know in the comments. Also be sure to check out this delicious list of 31 bacon appetizers.
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.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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!
Could you use a few sliced water chestnuts in place of 1 whole chestnuts? We don’t have whole chestnuts available.
You probably could stack a few large sliced water chestnuts together.
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!