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GET IT NOWI always get excited when I see water chestnuts in a stir fry (I love the crunch!), but recently I heard you can wrap them in bacon. And since I love just about any bacon appetizer — from bacon wrapped shrimp to bacon asparagus — I knew I’d like bacon wrapped water chestnuts, too. If you’re looking for a quick and easy holiday appetizer, you need to bring these water chestnuts wrapped in bacon to your next party!
Why You’ll Love These Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
- Bacon and water chestnuts in a sweet and tangy sauce
- Crispy, crunchy texture
- Just 4 simple ingredients
- Fast prep time with hands-off cooking
- Great bite sized appetizers for parties
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for water chestnuts wrapped in bacon what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Water Chestnuts – You can use fresh chestnuts (found in some specialty or Asian markets) or canned water chestnuts (easier to find). I used canned, but if you find fresh ones, wash and peel them.
- Bacon – Slice the bacon strips in half to make shorter pieces.
- Coconut Aminos – This is my preferred soy sauce substitute, but you could use low sodium soy sauce or tamari instead. You can also replace half of this ingredient with Worcestershire sauce for added umami flavor.
- Maple Syrup – You can use regular maple syrup, or try my natural sugar-free maple syrup that has passed for the real thing in blind taste tests. 😉 Some water chestnut recipes use brown sugar, but maple syrup is a healthier option.
- Garlic Powder – Although optional, this adds more savory flavor.
How To Make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
This section shows how to make bacon wrapped chestnuts, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Wrap. Wrap a piece of bacon around each water chestnut and secure with a toothpick. Repeat with all the bacon slices. Place on a wire rack over a baking sheet. (You can also bake these in a baking dish instead, bu the bacon turns out more crispy using the rack method.)
- Bake. Cook in the oven for 20 minutes.
- Dip. In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos, maple syrup, and garlic powder. Dunk the bacon wrapped water chestnuts into the sauce mixture, or alternatively you can brush it on all sides. Return to the rack over the baking pan.
- Bake again. Continue baking until the bacon is crispy.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Meal prep: Assemble chestnuts, secure with toothpicks, and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook them.
- Reheat: Bake at 350 degrees F for about 10-15 minutes until heated through and the bacon is crispy again. You can also reheat them in the air fryer for the crispiest results.
- Freeze: Place bacon wrapped chestnuts on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer, and freeze until solid. Transfer to an airtight container or zip lock bag, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Bacon Wrapped Appetizer Recipes
If you enjoy bacon wrapped chestnuts as much as I did, you have to try some of my other dishes with similar prep:
Recommended Tools
- Baking Sheet & Rack – I have used this set for years! The rack elevates the bacon, letting the bacon grease drip away, while the non-stick surface makes cleanup easy.
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Bacon wrapped water chestnuts are the perfect party appetizer with just 4 ingredients! They have crispy bacon and irresistible maple flavor.
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
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Wrap the bacon slices (each cut in half) around the water chestnuts and secure each with toothpick. Place on a rack over a baking sheet (this is my favorite set).
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Bake for 20 minutes.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos, maple syrup, and garlic powder, if using. Dip the bacon wrapped water chestnuts into the sauce, letting any excess liquid drip off.
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Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, until the bacon is crispy.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 4 bacon wrapped water chestnuts
Nutrition info does not include optional garlic powder.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
12 Comments
Mary
0Maya! You are the BEST
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Awww, thank you for the kind words, Mary! Hope you loved this recipe. 🙂
Cindy Fields
0I used your recipe for bacon wrapped water chestnuts. They were delicious! They disappeared quickly and that made me happy. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Martie Dahl
0I made these a couple months ago for a family get together. They were a huge hit & people just kept coming back for more. They were so popular, I’ve been asked to bring them to a birthday party today. They are so easy to make & are simply delicious!
Toni
0Perfect appetizer! Everyone at my house loved it! Thanks for the recipe!
Shar
0These are fun to eat! So easy and bursting with flavors!
Teresa F
0Love!! The perfect, crunchy sweet and salty appetizer. These disappeared fast.
Heidi
0I enjoyed making and eating this recipe! So crispy and the flavor was superb! Thumbs up for this party appetizer! It’s now part of my go-to recipe for events and family gatherings. Thanks!
Carly
0We had some friends over last night, so I made these for an appetizer. Total hit! Everyone ate them up quickly. I’m keeping this recipe handy for the holidays.
Bernadette
0Crunchy, savory and irresistible! I prepared these little bites for game day and they vanished in minutes. I also loved that it was so easy to make. Definitely making this again in my next hosting!
Callie
0I love these tasty creations SO much. I also get excited when I see waterbchesnuts in stir fry but never thought to combine them with bacon, another thing I love. This are going to be my go-to appetizer from now on!
Paula
0What a wonderfully easy appetizer! I love how easy they are to put together and the flavor is wonderful …. just the right amount of crunch from the water chestnut.