These mouthwatering good Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts are easy to prepare and always a big hit with guests! They are quick, party-worthy bite-sized appetizers that can be prepped in advance. Friends and family just love this dish.
I am absolutely convinced that everything tastes better wrapped in savory bacon. As a kid, this was one of my favorite holiday appetizers. The crisp, crunchy texture of a water chestnut is particularly good when wrapped in crisp bacon and basted with a delicious, spicy Asian sauce. These fun and tasty appetizers can be prepped ahead, stored in the refrigerator, and then baked and basted right before your guests arrive.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients on the recipe card below.
- Water Chestnuts: Canned whole water chestnuts can be found in the Asian section of your local grocery store.
- Bacon: For optimal flavor, use good-quality smoked bacon that is not thick.
- Brandy: You can substitute rice wine (sake) for the brandy or eliminate it if you do not cook with alcohol.
- Brown Sugar: If preferred, you can use all honey.
- Sriracha: Use your favorite brand for a little heat.
- Ginger: You can use either fresh or the ginger paste.
How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
- Cut the bacon strips in half, then wrap each piece around a water chestnut and secure with a toothpick. Place on a baking sheet.
- In a small saucepan, melt butter, add the garlic, and cook for a minute. Turn the heat off and add the brandy. Turn the heat back on to low and simmer.
- Add soy sauce, brown sugar, sriracha sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ginger, and ketchup. Simmer the mixture until it has thickened.
- Bake the water chestnuts.
- Remove from the oven and baste them. Return to the oven. Baste every 7-10 minutes.
Preparation Tips
- Brandy fumes are flammable, so turn off the flame before adding the brandy. Wait about 1 minute and turn the heat back on to medium-low.
- Soak your toothpicks for at least 30 minutes in water before using them.
- Cover your baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil because the basting sauce can make quite a mess on the pan.
- If you prefer, you can use a broiler pan or place an ovenproof wire rack over your baking sheet.
- Cook them until the bacon is browned and crispy and the sauce is baked into the bacon.
- For best results, serve warm, so plan your baking time accordingly. However, they are still delicious at room temperature.
Recipe Variations
- Meat: Meatballs (either fresh or frozen), chicken chunks, Little Smokies, or chicken livers.
- Fruit: Pineapple (either fresh or canned) or dried figs.
- Vegetable: White Button Mushrooms or asparagus.
More Appetizer Recipes
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnut Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cans of water chestnuts 8 ounces each
- 1 lb bacon
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 large cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup brandy
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha hot chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
- ½ cup ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Cut the bacon into half and wrap each slice of bacon around one water chestnut, securing it with a toothpick. Arrange on a rimmed baking sheet covered with aluminum foil.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Turn the heat off and add brandy. Turn the heat back to medium-low and reduce the brandy mixture by ½. Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, sriracha sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ginger, and ketchup. Simmer down until slightly thickened, approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Bake wrapped water chestnuts for 30-40 minutes or until the bacon is golden brown and slightly crisp. Baste with the sauce every 10 minutes.
Nutrition
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Melanie E
I do love the sound of these. Bacon can make most things taste great. This makes a great canape for when guests come.
Sonia Seivwright
What a fabulous starter idea for Christmas. I usually use bacon, but I think I’ll try this one out.
Beth Pierce
This is made with bacon.
Oli
I love bacon and I love water chestnuts! Who knew wrapped together will make it even more tasty!
Cinny
I’ve never thought of bacon-wrapped water chestnuts before. That does sounds like it’d be a nice crunchy mix.
Linda
I love bacon.Thanks for sharing this recipe with us.
Maureen
You had me at bacon! I would have never thought to combine water chestnuts and bacon together but wow, what a fantastic appetizer! I am going to make these again for Halloween!
Luna S
These flavors were so good together. I am going to make them as an appetizer for our Thanksgiving feast. Thanks for the inspiration.
Colleen
Great recipe. I love the combo of the crisp water chestnuts with the bacon and those delicious flavors. Fantastic!
Brianne
These were delicious! I’ve never had water chestnuts as anything other than an addition to other Asian dishes. Such a treat I will enjoy again and again.
Khushboo
So tasty and easy to make! Thanks for the yummy recipe. I am going to make these again. Maybe as a Thanksgiving Day appetizer.