Festive Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe
Festive Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts are a crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring whole water chestnuts wrapped in smoky, crispy bacon and glazed with a sweet and tangy sauce made from ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Perfect for parties and holiday gatherings, these bite-sized treats deliver a delightful combination of crunchy and savory flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 pieces 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 can whole water chestnuts
- 1 package center cut bacon
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Toothpicks
Instructions
- Prepare Water Chestnuts: Drain the can of whole water chestnuts thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels to ensure the bacon crisps properly when cooked.
- Wrap Chestnuts: Cut each strip of bacon into thirds. Wrap each water chestnut tightly with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick to hold the bacon in place during cooking.
- Make Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir together until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is smooth.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top to allow even cooking and fat drainage.
- Bake Wrapped Chestnuts: Place the bacon-wrapped water chestnuts on the wire rack and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the bacon starts to crisp up.
- Glaze and Continue Baking: Remove the tray from the oven briefly and brush the bacon-wrapped chestnuts generously with the prepared sauce. Return to oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, brushing once more with sauce halfway through, until the bacon is fully cooked and caramelized.
- Cool and Serve: Let the water chestnuts cool slightly on the rack before serving warm. They can be served as an appetizer or party snack.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, use center cut bacon which is leaner and smaller in width.
- The sauce can be adjusted to taste by adding a pinch of cayenne for a spicy kick.
- These appetizers can be made ahead and reheated in the oven before serving.
- Using a wire rack for baking helps excess bacon fat drain and promotes even cooking.
- Be careful when handling toothpicks, and remind guests to remove them before eating.
Keywords: bacon wrapped water chestnuts, party appetizer, holiday appetizer, bacon appetizers, sweet and savory snacks