Get ready to discover your new favorite party food. These bacon wrapped water chestnuts are the ultimate appetizer, delivering an irresistible combination of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors with an unbelievably satisfying crunch. This isn’t just another recipe; it’s your new go-to for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. We’ve perfected the method to ensure the bacon gets perfectly crispy and the glaze is addictively delicious. Forget soggy, mediocre appetizers—this is how you make them right.
Why You’ll Love This Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe
This appetizer is a classic for a reason. It hits all the right notes and is surprisingly simple to prepare.
- Perfect Texture: We’re talking about that perfect contrast between crispy, salty bacon and the crisp, juicy crunch of a water chestnut.
- Addictive Sweet & Savory Glaze: A simple sauce made with brown sugar and soy sauce caramelizes in the oven, creating a sticky, irresistible coating.
- Incredibly Easy to Make: With just a handful of common ingredients, you can assemble these impressive bites in under 20 minutes.
- The Ultimate Party Food: Whether it’s for a holiday gathering, a game day party, or a simple get-together, these bacon wrapped water chestnuts are always one of the first things to disappear. Just like our popular BBQ Sausage Bites, they’re a certified hit.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few pantry staples to create this show-stopping appetizer. Quality matters, so choose your ingredients wisely!
- Bacon: Thin-cut bacon is the secret weapon here. It wraps easily and, most importantly, crisps up beautifully in the oven. Avoid thick-cut bacon as it can result in a chewy, undercooked texture.
- Whole Water Chestnuts: You’ll want one or two 8-ounce cans of whole water chestnuts. Be sure to drain them and pat them completely dry to help the bacon adhere and get crispy.
- Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar provides the perfect level of molasses-rich sweetness for the glaze.
- Soy Sauce: This adds a deep, savory, umami flavor that balances the sweetness of the brown sugar.
- Garlic Powder: A touch of garlic powder adds another layer of savory flavor to the glaze.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps for a flawless batch of sweet and savory bacon wrapped water chestnuts. The process is straightforward and yields delicious results every time.
- Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a wire rack inside a foil-lined baking sheet. The foil makes cleanup a breeze, and the rack is essential for crispy bacon all around.
- Dry the Water Chestnuts: Drain the canned water chestnuts and pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for getting a good wrap and preventing sogginess.
- Cut and Wrap: Cut your bacon strips into thirds. Wrap one piece of bacon tightly around each water chestnut and secure it with a toothpick. Arrange the wrapped chestnuts in a single layer on the prepared wire rack.
- Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
- Glaze and Bake: Spoon or brush a little of the glaze over each bacon-wrapped piece. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Glaze Again and Finish Baking: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Brush the remaining glaze over the partially cooked appetizers. Return them to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is deeply browned and crispy. Let them cool slightly before serving, as the glaze will be very hot.
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The Secret to Perfectly Crispy Bacon
The number one complaint with this appetizer is soggy bacon. We’re here to solve that. Follow these non-negotiable tips for the crispiest bacon wrapped water chestnuts imaginable.
- Use Thin-Cut Bacon: I can’t stress this enough. Thick-cut bacon will not render and crisp up in time. Stick with standard, thin-cut bacon for the best results, just as you would for Million Dollar Bacon (coming soon).
- Don’t Overlap: When you wrap the water chestnut, ensure the bacon doesn’t overlap on itself too much. A single, snug layer is what you’re aiming for.
- The Wire Rack is Mandatory: Placing the appetizers on a wire rack allows hot air to circulate underneath, cooking the bacon evenly on all sides and letting the fat drip away. This is the key to avoiding a soggy bottom.
- Pat the Water Chestnuts Dry: Excess moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Dry, dry, dry!
Delicious Sauce & Seasoning Variations
While the classic brown sugar and soy sauce glaze is fantastic, feel free to get creative! Here are a few variations to try:
Spicy Maple Glaze
For a sweet and spicy kick, replace the brown sugar with pure maple syrup and add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the glaze. This adds a wonderful warmth that complements the salty bacon.
Smoky BBQ
Mix 1/4 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Brush this mixture on during the last 10-15 minutes of baking for a tangy, smoky flavor profile.
Garlic & Herb
Add 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme or rosemary to the classic glaze for a more savory, herbaceous twist. This version pairs wonderfully with other savory appetizers like our Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
These are a great make-ahead appetizer, which is perfect for stress-free party planning.
- To Make Ahead: You can assemble the bacon wrapped water chestnuts up to 24 hours in advance. Place them on the wire rack-lined baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and store them in the refrigerator. Prepare the glaze and store it separately in an airtight container. When you’re ready to bake, just remove the plastic wrap, glaze, and bake as directed.
- Storing Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: For the best results, reheat them in an oven or air fryer at 375°F for 5-7 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp again. Microwaving is not recommended as it will make the bacon soft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can assemble them up to 24 hours in advance. Wrap the water chestnuts in bacon, place them on the prepared baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate. Prepare the glaze separately and apply it just before baking.
Absolutely. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bacon is crispy. You may want to brush the glaze on during the last few minutes of cooking to prevent it from burning.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in an oven or air fryer at 375°F for 5-7 minutes to bring back their crispiness. Avoid using a microwave.
The three keys to preventing sogginess are: 1) Use thin-cut bacon, not thick-cut. 2) Pat the water chestnuts completely dry before wrapping. 3) Always bake them on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet to allow air circulation.
Standard thin-cut bacon is best. It renders its fat and becomes crispy in the same amount of time it takes to cook the appetizer through. Thick-cut bacon will remain chewy and undercooked.
The Best Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts (The Ultimate Crispy Appetizer)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
- Cut the bacon strips into thirds. Wrap one piece of bacon around each water chestnut and secure with a toothpick. Place on the prepared wire rack.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the packed brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder.
- Brush or spoon about half of the glaze over the wrapped water chestnuts. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and brush with the remaining glaze. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is brown and crispy.
- Let cool on the rack for at least 5 minutes before serving. The glaze will be very hot.
Notes
Patting the water chestnuts completely dry is a critical step to avoid sogginess.
The wire rack is essential for allowing air to circulate and crisp the bacon on all sides.
Pin This Recipe For Later!
We hope you love this recipe for crispy bacon wrapped water chestnuts as much as we do! It’s a timeless appetizer that always brings smiles. If you make it, we’d love for you to leave a comment below. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite appetizer board on Pinterest!
