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A close-up shot of a pile of freshly baked bacon wrapped water chestnuts, showcasing their crispy texture and caramelized glaze.

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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 185
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb regular-cut bacon Do not use thick-cut bacon.
  • 2 cans (8 oz each) whole water chestnuts Drained and patted very dry.
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar Packed.
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Equipment

  • 1 Baking Sheet
  • 1 Mixing Bowl
  • 32 Toothpicks

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the packed brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder until a smooth sauce forms.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.