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Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Appetizer

Glazed with brown sugar, soy sauce and ketchup, these easy 5 ingredient bacon wrapped water chestnuts will be the first appetizer to disappear at your next game day or holiday celebration. You’ll love these bacon wrapped water chestnuts appetizers because they’re easy to prepare and delicious.

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Close up photo of square white bowl full of bacon wrapped water chestnuts appetizers on a grey napkin.

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Why you’ll love this Water Chestnuts Wrapped in Bacon Recipe

These Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts are super easy to make, and are just amazing. They have an added crunch and savoriness to them, they just taste like a fancy and exotic appetizer. With only 5, mostly pantry ingredients, this is an appetizer you can whip up either the day of a party or a day in advance that everyone will love. T

These water chestnuts wrapped in bacon appetizers are perfect for parties or holiday gatherings. They’re also great as an appetizer on their own. Make sure to try out this recipe for bacon wrapped water chestnuts. It’s so good!

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Close of square white bowl full of bacon wrapped water chestnuts appetizers.

What are Water Chestnuts?

Water chestnuts are not actually a nut, despite the name, but an aquatic vegetable. They grow in Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and many other Pacific Islands. You’ve probably had them before and not even known it! Water chestnuts are often sliced up and put in many Asian dishes. Water chestnuts help you to add an extra delicious touch to your favorite foods. They have a unique crisp texture that gives way when you bite down.

Fun fact: water chestnuts are very high in antioxidants and full of nutrients such as fiber, copper, magnesium, and vitamin B-6. They are also low in calories so you can afford to go a little wild and pair it something decadent like bacon!

Close up of water chestnuts on paper towel drying.

Where can I buy Water Chestnuts?

Water chestnuts can be found in either the frozen food, or the canned food section of your local grocery store. Some grocery stores have them in the Asian or International section. Make sure you get the whole water chestnuts for this recipe.

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Close up of can of Water Chestnuts.

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Ingredients for this easy appetizer recipe

  • Ketchup
  • Brown sugar
  • Soy sauce
  • Whole water chestnuts, canned
  • Smoky bacon
  • toothpicks *

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Close of square white bowl full of bacon wrapped water chestnuts appetizers.

How to make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

This easy recipe comes together quickly in 4 easy steps:

Step 1

Combine ketchup, brown sugar, and soy sauce in a mixing bowl. Make sure everything is combined well.

White mixing bowl of bacon wrapped water chestnuts marinade: ketchup, brown sugar and soya sauce combined.

Step 2

Wrap each water chestnut with a bacon strip (which was cut bacon into thirds) and secure with a toothpick and drop into the mixing bowl with the sauce mix.

Close up of water chestnut wrapped in bacon with a toothpick holding it together.

Once finished wrapping the bacon and water chestnuts, GENTLY fold the sauce over them in the mixing bowl. Make sure to evenly coat each piece with the sauce.

Bacon wrapped water chestnuts marinating in a ketchup, brown sugar and soya sauce mixture in a white bowl.

Step 3

Using tongs, gently remove the wrapped water chestnuts from the mixing bowl and place them onto a broiler pan over a foil lined baking sheet. (I find that the clean up is much easier when using a foil lined sheet). If you don’t have a broiler pan, you can try just using a baking sheet – just make sure you remove the cooked water chestnuts quickly, so they don’t sit in the fat for too long.

Using a spatula remove any of the remaining sauce from the mixing bowl and drizzle over the wrapped water chestnuts.

Water chestnuts wrapped in bacon covered in a marinade on a baking sheet, ready to be baked in the oven.

Step 4

Place the prepared water chestnuts into the oven to cook for about 35 minutes or long enough to crisp the bacon to your liking.

Using tongs, remove the appetizers to a serving plate.

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Close up of Bacone Wrapped Water Chestnut on a toothpick in someone's hand.

Other appetizer recipes to try

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☀️ Celebrate Summer with this easy salad!

Creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad

Indulge in the ultimate summer delight with our Creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad Recipe and let the flavors transport you to a sunny beachside retreat. Whether you’re seeking a satisfying meal or a crowd-pleasing dish, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire. So, grab your apron and get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy!

MAKE THIS RECIPE → Creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad

Close of square white bowl full of bacon wrapped water chestnuts appetizers.

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Appetizer Recipe

Yield: 48 appetizers
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Appetizer Recipe - Glazed with brown sugar, soy sauce and ketchup, these easy bacon wrapped water chestnuts will be the best appetizer at your next party.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • 2 (7oz/227ml) cans whole water chestnuts, drained and rinsed
  • 1 lb smoky bacon, cut into thirds
  • toothpicks

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Combine ketchup, brown sugar, and soy sauce in a mixing bowl. Make sure everything is combined well.
  3. Wrap each water chestnut with a bacon strip (which was cut bacon into thirds) and secure with a toothpick and drop into the mixing bowl with the sauce mix.
  4. Once finished wrapping the bacon and water chestnuts, GENTLY fold the sauce over them in the mixing bowl. Make sure to evenly coat each piece with the sauce.
  5. Using tongs, gently remove the wrapped water chestnuts from the mixing bowl and place them onto a broiler pan over a foil lined baking sheet. (I find that the clean up is much easier when using a foil lined sheet). If you don't have a broiler pan, you can try just using a baking sheet – just make sure you remove the cooked water chestnuts quickly, so they don't sit in the fat for too long.
  6. Using a spatula remove any of the remaining sauce from the mixing bowl and drizzle over the wrapped water chestnuts.
  7. Place the prepared water chestnuts into the oven to cook for about 35 minutes or long enough to crisp the bacon to your liking.
  8. Using tongs, remove the appetizers to a serving plate.

Notes

  • Serve: These will last for up to 2 hours at room temperature. Keep warm in a slow cooker for up to 4 hours.
  • Store: Bacon Wrapped Chestnuts will last covered, in the fridge for up to a week.
  • Freeze: Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet and remove toothpicks before transferring to a container. Keep for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 2 pieces
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 109Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 415mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 7g

Did you make this recipe?

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Feel free to look through the rest of my recipes and if you can’t find the recipe you’re looking for let me know and I’ll do my best to create it for you.

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