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Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts

7 reviews
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 35 min.

Makes

about 5 dozen

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
Whenever I attend a potluck, folks always ask me to make my bacon-wrapped water chestnut recipe—it's become my trademark. I especially like to prepare them for holiday gatherings. —Debi Jellison, Jacksonville, Florida
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound sliced bacon
  • 2 cans (8 ounces each) whole water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar

Directions

  1. Cut bacon strips into thirds; wrap a strip around each water chestnut and secure with a wooden toothpick. Place in an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 375° until bacon is crisp, 25 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine ketchup and brown sugar; cook and stir over medium heat until sugar has dissolved. Remove water chestnuts to paper towels; drain. Dip in ketchup mixture; place in a lightly greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Spoon remaining sauce over water chestnuts. Return to the oven for 10 minutes.
Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts Tips

How can you make bacon-wrapped water chestnuts your own?

This recipe is simple and uncomplicated, but you can introduce extra flavor to the water chestnuts by marinating them. After draining and rinsing the water chestnuts, transfer them to a bowl with soy sauce, and additional flavorings like brown sugar and hot sauce if you like. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes before wrapping the water chestnuts with bacon.

Can you make bacon-wrapped water chestnuts ahead of time?

Most bacon-wrapped recipes can be prepared in advance, and this one is no exception. Wrap the water chestnuts with bacon and store them in the refrigerator. It’s okay to stack the toothpicks on top of each other, if needed. On the day of the gathering, transfer the toothpicks to a baking sheet and bring them to room temperature before baking.

How long will leftover bacon-wrapped water chestnuts last?

Bacon-wrapped water chestnuts are best served fresh. Most water chestnut recipes tend to lose their crisp texture as they sit in the refrigerator. That said, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat the bacon-wrapped water chestnuts in an oven at 350° until the bacon crisps up, about 15 minutes.

—Lindsay Mattison, Taste of Home Contributing Writer

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 33 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 92mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.