Get ready to discover your new favorite appetizer: Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts. This classic recipe delivers an irresistible combination of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors with a satisfying crunch that will have everyone reaching for more. Each bite features a crisp water chestnut wrapped in perfectly cooked, salty bacon and coated in a glistening brown sugar and soy glaze. They are the ultimate party food—simple to make, easy to transport, and impossible to resist. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, a game day party, or just craving a delicious snack, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
We’re taking the classic recipe and elevating it with a few simple tricks to ensure your bacon is perfectly crispy and the glaze is rich and flavorful every single time. Forget soggy bacon or a bland sauce; this guide will walk you through creating the perfect bite from start to finish. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The combination of salty bacon, sweet brown sugar, savory soy sauce, and crunchy water chestnuts creates a truly addictive flavor profile.
- Incredibly Easy to Make: With just a handful of common ingredients and simple steps, this recipe is accessible to cooks of all skill levels.
- The Ultimate Party Appetizer: These bites are perfect for making ahead of time, easy for guests to eat, and always the first thing to disappear from the snack table.
- Customizable to Your Taste: Whether you like it spicy, extra savory, or with a different kind of sauce, this recipe is a fantastic base for your own creative twists.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on a few key ingredients to create its signature flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Bacon: Choose a regular-cut bacon. Thick-cut bacon takes much longer to get crispy, which can lead to overcooked water chestnuts.
- Canned Whole Water Chestnuts: These provide the essential crunchy texture that makes this appetizer so unique.
- Light Brown Sugar: This is the foundation of our sweet and savory glaze, caramelizing beautifully in the oven.
- Soy Sauce: Adds a deep, savory, umami flavor that perfectly balances the sweetness of the brown sugar.
- Garlic Powder: A touch of garlic powder adds another layer of flavor to the glaze.
- Toothpicks: Essential for holding the bacon securely around the water chestnuts. Remember to soak them in water to prevent burning!
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious bacon wrapped water chestnuts you’ve ever had. We’ll start by prepping the ingredients and finish by baking them to crispy, glazed perfection.
Step 1: Preparation
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. This will prevent the brown sugar glaze from sticking to the pan. Drain the canned water chestnuts and pat them completely dry with a paper towel. This is a crucial step to ensure the bacon adheres well and gets crispy.
Step 2: Wrap the Water Chestnuts
Cut your bacon strips into thirds. Wrap one piece of bacon snugly around each whole water chestnut and secure it by piercing through the bacon and the chestnut with a toothpick. Place the wrapped chestnuts on the prepared baking sheet, seam-side down.
Step 3: Make the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder until the sugar is mostly dissolved and a smooth sauce forms. Using a pastry brush or a spoon, generously coat the top of each bacon-wrapped water chestnut with the glaze.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the glaze is bubbly and caramelized. The exact time will depend on your oven and the thickness of your bacon. For extra crispy results, you can turn on the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes, but watch them closely to prevent burning.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Let the bacon wrapped water chestnuts cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, as the glaze will be very hot. The glaze will also thicken slightly as it cools. Serve them warm and watch them disappear! For a fresh finish, you can garnish them with some chopped fresh chives or parsley.
Variations and Twists
While the classic recipe is fantastic, here are a few ideas to customize it to your liking:
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a teaspoon of sriracha to the glaze for some heat.
- Smoky Flavor: Use smoked paprika in the glaze or use a naturally smoked bacon.
- Savory Herb: For a less sweet version, skip the brown sugar and toss the wrapped chestnuts in a mix of melted butter, garlic powder, and chopped parsley before baking. Consider pairing this with a tasty Shrimp and Grits Recipe for a full Southern-style spread.
- Different Sweeteners: You can substitute maple syrup for the brown sugar for a different kind of sweetness that also pairs wonderfully with bacon.
Tips for Success
To guarantee the best results, keep these simple tips in mind:
- Don’t Use Thick-Cut Bacon: As mentioned, regular-cut bacon is best. It crisps up faster and more evenly, ensuring the perfect texture.
- Dry the Water Chestnuts Thoroughly: Any excess moisture will steam the bacon from the inside out, making it difficult to get that desirable crispiness.
- Soak Your Toothpicks: Soaking wooden toothpicks in water for about 20 minutes before using them will prevent them from burning in the hot oven.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give each piece enough space on the baking sheet. This allows air to circulate, which is key for crispy bacon. If you’re looking for another great appetizer, try these Jalapeno Popper Crescent Rolls (coming soon).
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
One of the best things about this recipe is that it can be prepped ahead of time. To do so, wrap the water chestnuts in bacon and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, simply prepare the glaze, brush it on, and bake as directed. This makes party day so much easier!
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes or until warmed through and the bacon has re-crisped. For another easy and delicious make-ahead meal, try our Mississippi Pot Roast.
Yes! You can assemble the bacon-wrapped water chestnuts (without the glaze) up to 24 hours in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Add the glaze just before baking.
No, you do not need to cook them. Canned water chestnuts are already cooked and have a firm, crunchy texture that holds up well during baking.
To get them crispy, use regular-cut (not thick-cut) bacon, pat the water chestnuts completely dry before wrapping, and don’t overcrowd the baking pan. Baking at 375°F (190°C) allows the bacon fat to render and crisp up perfectly.
Standard or regular-cut bacon is the best choice. Thick-cut bacon takes too long to cook and often results in the bacon remaining chewy while the glaze burns. Avoid heavily flavored bacon like maple or pepper, as it can overwhelm the glaze.
Soggy bacon is usually caused by excess moisture from the water chestnuts or by using thick-cut bacon. Ensure you pat the chestnuts completely dry and use regular-cut bacon for the best, crispy results.
Yes! You can assemble the bacon-wrapped water chestnuts (without the glaze) up to 24 hours in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Add the glaze just before baking.
No, you do not need to cook them. Canned water chestnuts are already cooked and have a firm, crunchy texture that holds up well during baking.
To get them crispy, use regular-cut (not thick-cut) bacon, pat the water chestnuts completely dry before wrapping, and don’t overcrowd the baking pan. Baking at 375°F (190°C) allows the bacon fat to render and crisp up perfectly.
Standard or regular-cut bacon is the best choice. Thick-cut bacon takes too long to cook and often results in the bacon remaining chewy while the glaze burns. Avoid heavily flavored bacon like maple or pepper, as it can overwhelm the glaze.
Soggy bacon is usually caused by excess moisture from the water chestnuts or by using thick-cut bacon. Ensure you pat the chestnuts completely dry and use regular-cut bacon for the best, crispy results.
Share and Enjoy!
This Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts recipe is a true classic for a reason. It’s the perfect combination of textures and flavors, and it’s unbelievably easy to make. We know this will be a hit at your next gathering! If you loved this recipe, please leave a comment below and share it with your friends and family on Pinterest. We can’t wait to hear how much you enjoyed it!
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts with Brown Sugar Glaze
An irresistible appetizer featuring crunchy water chestnuts wrapped in crispy bacon and coated in a sweet and savory brown sugar soy glaze. This easy-to-make recipe is the ultimate party food and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Drain the water chestnuts and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Soak toothpicks in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning.
- Cut the bacon strips into thirds. Tightly wrap one piece of bacon around each water chestnut and secure it with a toothpick. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, seam-side down.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the packed brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder until a smooth sauce forms.
- Brush the glaze generously over the top of each bacon-wrapped water chestnut. Bake for 35-45 minutes, until the bacon is browned and crispy and the glaze is bubbly. For extra crispy bacon, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully.
- Let them cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before serving, as the glaze will be very hot. Serve warm.
Notes
Tip 1: Ensure water chestnuts are very dry for the crispiest bacon.
Tip 2: Do not use thick-cut bacon; it will not render and crisp up properly in the allotted time.
Tip 3: For easy cleanup, do not skip the parchment paper, as the caramelized sugar can be difficult to clean.
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts with Brown Sugar Glaze
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Drain the water chestnuts and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Soak toothpicks in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning.
- Cut the bacon strips into thirds. Tightly wrap one piece of bacon around each water chestnut and secure it with a toothpick. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, seam-side down.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the packed brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder until a smooth sauce forms.
- Brush the glaze generously over the top of each bacon-wrapped water chestnut. Bake for 35-45 minutes, until the bacon is browned and crispy and the glaze is bubbly. For extra crispy bacon, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully.
- Let them cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before serving, as the glaze will be very hot. Serve warm.
Notes
Tip 2: Do not use thick-cut bacon; it will not render and crisp up properly in the allotted time.
Tip 3: For easy cleanup, do not skip the parchment paper, as the caramelized sugar can be difficult to clean.
