Get ready to discover your new go-to party appetizer. These bacon wrapped water chestnuts are the perfect combination of savory, sweet, and crunchy, all in one irresistible bite. We’ve perfected this recipe to ensure every piece has perfectly crispy bacon and a wonderfully tender, crunchy water chestnut center, all coated in an addictive brown sugar and soy glaze. It’s a simple, crowd-pleasing dish that vanishes from the plate every single time.
Whether you’re looking for a holiday party showstopper or a simple snack for game day, this recipe is incredibly easy to prepare. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create a truly memorable appetizer that will have everyone asking for the recipe. Let’s dive in and make the best bacon wrapped water chestnuts you’ve ever had.
Ready to be the star of the party!
Why You’ll Love This Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe
This isn’t just another appetizer recipe; it’s a guaranteed hit. Here’s why this will become a staple in your entertaining playbook:
Perfect Texture Combo: The crispiness of the bacon pairs beautifully with the unique, tender crunch of the water chestnuts.
Sweet & Savory Flavor: The glaze, made from brown sugar and soy sauce, creates a caramelized coating that hits all the right flavor notes.
Incredibly Easy to Make: With simple steps and common ingredients, this recipe is accessible to cooks of all skill levels.
The Ultimate Party Food: They are easy to serve, easy to eat, and universally loved, making them ideal for any gathering. For another party favorite, check out these amazing Cheeseburger Sliders.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few pantry staples to bring this fantastic appetizer to life. The magic is in the combination!
For the Appetizer
Bacon: Thin-cut bacon works best as it crisps up perfectly. Avoid thick-cut varieties, which can remain chewy.
Whole Water Chestnuts: You’ll need one can of whole water chestnuts, drained and patted thoroughly dry.
For the Sweet & Savory Glaze
Brown Sugar: This is the key to the sweet, caramelized glaze.
Soy Sauce: Provides a deep, savory, umami flavor that balances the sweetness.
Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle aromatic depth to the glaze.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Follow these simple steps for appetizer perfection. We’re breaking it down to ensure they come out crispy and delicious every single time.
Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup and place a wire rack on top. The rack is crucial for allowing air to circulate, which helps the bacon get crispy on all sides.
Prepare the Bacon: Cut your bacon slices into thirds. This size is perfect for wrapping around a single water chestnut without too much overlap.
Wrap Them Up: Pat the drained water chestnuts completely dry with a paper towel. This is a critical step to prevent steaming and ensure maximum crispiness. Wrap one piece of bacon around each water chestnut and secure it with a toothpick. Place each wrapped chestnut onto the prepared wire rack.
First Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes. This initial bake starts rendering the bacon fat and gets the crisping process started.
Make the Glaze: While the chestnuts are in the oven, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder in a small bowl until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
Glaze and Finish Baking: After the first bake, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Brush the glaze generously over all sides of the bacon-wrapped morsels. Return them to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the bacon is deeply golden and crispy, and the glaze is bubbly and caramelized.
Rest and Serve: Let them cool on the rack for a few minutes before serving. The glaze will be very hot! Serve warm and watch them disappear.
Pro Tips for the Crispiest, Most Flavorful Results
Want to make your bacon wrapped water chestnuts the absolute best? Follow these expert tips.
Don’t Skip the Rack: Baking on a wire rack elevates the appetizers, allowing hot air to cook the bacon evenly on the bottom and top, preventing a soggy underside.
Pat Chestnuts Dry: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Squeeze out as much water as you can with paper towels for the best texture.
Use Thin-Cut Bacon: Thin-cut bacon renders its fat and crisps up much more effectively in the time it takes to cook.
Secure Tightly: Make sure the toothpick goes through the bacon overlap and the water chestnut to keep everything snug during baking.
Look at that perfect crispy, glazed bacon!
Delicious Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is a winner, it’s also a fantastic base for experimentation. Try one of these fun twists!
Spicy Kick: Add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the glaze for a touch of heat.
Maple-Glazed: Swap the brown sugar for an equal amount of pure maple syrup for a different kind of sweetness.
Add Pineapple: For a more classic “Rumaki” style, add a small piece of pineapple alongside the water chestnut before wrapping.
Dipping Sauce Suggestions
These are phenomenal on their own, but a good dip never hurts! A cool and creamy ranch dip offers a lovely contrast to the sweet and savory glaze. Sweet chili sauce or a simple aioli also make excellent companions.
Cooking in the Air Fryer
You can absolutely make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts in the air fryer! They cook faster and get incredibly crispy.
Prepare the appetizers exactly as described, wrapping each water chestnut and securing with a toothpick.
Arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd it; cook in batches if needed.
Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes.
Brush the glaze over the appetizers, then continue to air fry for another 5-7 minutes, or until the bacon is perfectly crispy.
Storing & Reheating Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat and bring back that glorious crisp, avoid the microwave. The best way is to place them in an oven or air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-8 minutes until heated through and crispy again. If you’re planning a party, why not also try this amazing Classic Buffalo Chicken Dip?
The two most important steps are to pat the water chestnuts completely dry with a paper towel before wrapping and to bake them on a wire rack. The rack allows air to circulate, crisping the bacon on all sides and preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy.
Yes, you can assemble them up to 24 hours in advance. Wrap the water chestnuts in bacon, secure with toothpicks, and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Wait to apply the glaze until you are ready to bake them.
Thin-cut bacon is the best choice. It wraps easily and crisps up perfectly in the oven or air fryer. Thick-cut bacon often takes too long to cook through, which can result in a chewy texture rather than a crispy one.
They are fantastic on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of dipping sauces. Try serving them with a cool ranch dip, sweet chili sauce, or a simple garlic aioli to complement their sweet and savory flavor.
The Perfect Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe
FL Recipes
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts (The Ultimate Crispy Appetizer)
The ultimate Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts! This easy party appetizer features perfectly crispy bacon and a sweet and savory brown sugar glaze. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser that's incredibly simple to make for any occasion.
2canswhole water chestnuts (8 oz each)Drained and patted very dry.
1/2cuppacked brown sugar
1/4cupsoy sauce
1/2tspgarlic powder
Equipment
1 Baking Sheet
1 Wire Rack
Toothpicks
Method
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with foil and place an oven-safe wire rack on top.
Cut the bacon slices into thirds.
Thoroughly pat the water chestnuts dry with paper towels. Wrap one piece of bacon around each water chestnut and secure with a toothpick.
Place the wrapped water chestnuts on the wire rack in a single layer.
Bake for 15-20 minutes to partially cook the bacon.
While they are baking, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder in a small bowl to create the glaze.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and brush the glaze over all sides of the bacon wrapped water chestnuts.
Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the glaze is bubbly and caramelized.
Let cool for a few minutes before serving, as the glaze will be very hot.
Nutrition
Calories: 150kcalProtein: 5gFat: 8gFiber: 1g
Notes
Tip 1: Using a wire rack is essential for crispy bacon on all sides. Tip 2: Ensure water chestnuts are very dry to prevent steaming and sogginess. Tip 3: For easy cleanup, do not skip lining your baking sheet with foil.
We are confident this will be one of the best appetizers you ever make! If you try this recipe, please leave a comment below and let us know how much you loved it. Don’t forget to save it to your favorite appetizer board on Pinterest!
The ultimate party snack! Sweet, savory, and irresistibly crispy.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
