Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts (2024)

Made with just 5 ingredients, these sweet, tangy, crunchy Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts are an addictive and easy party appetizer. No matter what the occasion, they are a hit every time!

We love foods wrapped in bacon. Buy extra and make these Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites, Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers, and Bacon Wrapped Dates.

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe

Water chestnuts might not be something you immediately think of when considering party appetizers but oh man, these babies are so good. Bacon wrapped water chestnuts are so easy to make simply by marinating them in soy sauce, brown sugar, and sriracha, wrapping them in bacon, and baking. The end result is perfectly tangy-sweet with a slight crunch.

Not including the hour of marinating time since you can do it in advance, you can have this water chestnut recipe ready in under an hour. Our recipe makes 24 bites, but it can easily be sized up or down depending how many people you’re serving. They’re so great for holiday parties and game day – everyone loves them.

Are Water Chestnuts a Nut?

Despite the name, water chestnuts are not a nut or chestnut. They are a vegetable found in Asian countries that grow underwater, hence the name “water chestnut”. You probably know them from the many Chinese stir fry dishes they are in.

Unless you live in a big city with a local Asian grocery store, you likely won’t be able to find freshwater chestnuts – but don’t worry, the canned version works just as well for this recipe.

Ingredients Needed

These tasty bacon wrapped water chestnuts require just 5 ingredients to make.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

• Whole water chestnuts – Drain the can well before using.
• Soy sauce – Use low sodium to prevent the appetizer from being too salty.
• Sriracha hot sauce – Gives these just a bit of heat and flavor without making them overly spicy.
• Brown sugar – A little sweetness with a hint of molasses give the other flavors balance.
• Bacon – Be sure to use regular sliced bacon, not thick.

Recipe Variations

We all know bacon wrapped anything is well worth making! If you’re not a fan of the water chestnuts but still want the tangy-sweet soy sauce and brown sugar flavor, you can substitute the water chestnuts with something else.

• Use Pineapple. Instead of marinating the pineapple before baking, wrap with bacon and bake as instructed. Halfway through the baking time, brush with the sauce and continue baking.
• Include a protein. You can also make this recipe with little smokies, shrimp, or with bites of chicken breast like our bacon wrapped chicken bites. Cooking time will vary.

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

This is one party appetizer that’s super easy to make. If you marinate the water chestnuts in advance, you’ll need just an hour to prepare these.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

1. Marinate the water chestnuts. Combine some brown sugar, the soy sauce, and sriracha in a plastic bag. Refrigerate for at least an hour.
2. Wrap with bacon. Cut bacon into thirds, then wrap a piece around each water chestnut and secure with a toothpick.
3. Add the brown sugar. Dredge the wrapped water chestnuts with the remaining brown sugar.
4. Bake. Place the water chestnuts on a cooling rack over a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes or until the bacon is browned and crisp.

Can I Make These in the Air Fryer?

Yes, you can make air fryer water chestnuts. Prepare as directed above and then instead of baking, place in the air fryer at 390 degrees F for approximately 8 minutes. Adjust the cook time based on how crisp you want the bacon. When air frying water chestnuts, be sure to not crowd the air fryer and cook multiple batches as needed. NOTE: Results can also vary based on your particular air fryer.

Tips For Success

For crispy, tangy water chestnuts, keep these things in mind.

• Marinate as long as possible. If you have the time, I definitely recommend marinating the water chestnuts the night before. They’ll taste so much better! If you can’t let them marinate the night before, do so for at least an hour.
• Make the bacon crispy. If desired, you can broil the water chestnuts the last few minutes to crisp the bacon. Watch closely so they don’t burn.
• Avoid thick cut bacon. Thick cut bacon will not get as crisp and take longer in the oven, so I recommend getting the regular bacon. For less fat, use center cut bacon.
• Use a cooling rack for baking. I like using a cooling rack, which allows the grease from the bacon to drip off and also gets the bottoms crispier this way. But this recipe can be made without the rack if you don’t have one. Just lay them flat on the foil (coated with nonstick spray) in a single later, not touching, and flip halfway through bake time.

How to Store

• How to store leftovers. While these water chestnuts are best eaten immediately, you can save them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• How to reheat. Leftovers are best when reheated in the oven. The microwave will work in a pinch but the oven will always provide better texture to help crisp the bacon back up.

More Easy Appetizers:

• Cucumber Sandwiches
• Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels
• Bacon Wrapped Dates
• Easy Antipasto Squares
• Pigs in a Blanket
• Mini Pizza Cheeseballs

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onTikTok,Facebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!