Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts: A Sweet and Savory Delight

Bacon wrapped water chestnuts are a classic appetizer that’s always a crowd-pleaser. The combination of salty bacon, crunchy water chestnuts, and a sweet and tangy glaze creates an irresistible flavor profile that’s perfect for parties, holidays, or any time you’re craving a delicious and easy-to-make snack. This recipe provides a comprehensive guide to creating the perfect bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, from selecting the right ingredients to mastering the baking technique.

Why These Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Are So Good

* **Sweet and Savory Combination:** The contrast between the salty, smoky bacon and the slightly sweet water chestnuts is incredibly satisfying.
* **Textural Delight:** The crispy bacon and the crunchy water chestnuts provide a delightful textural experience.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is simple to follow and requires minimal ingredients.
* **Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer:** These are always a hit at parties and gatherings.
* **Versatile:** You can easily customize the glaze to suit your taste preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Canned Water Chestnuts:** Look for whole water chestnuts, not sliced. Drain them well before using.
* **Bacon:** Use regular-cut bacon, not thick-cut. Thick-cut bacon takes longer to cook and may not get crispy enough before the water chestnuts are done.
* **Brown Sugar:** Adds sweetness and helps the bacon caramelize.
* **Soy Sauce:** Provides a savory and umami flavor.
* **Ketchup:** Adds tanginess and helps to bind the glaze.
* **Garlic Powder:** Enhances the savory flavor of the bacon and glaze (optional).
* **Worcestershire Sauce:** Adds depth of flavor (optional).
* **Toothpicks:** To secure the bacon around the water chestnuts.

Detailed Instructions

Here’s a step-by-step guide to making the best bacon wrapped water chestnuts:

**Step 1: Prepare the Water Chestnuts**

* Open the can of water chestnuts and drain them thoroughly. Pat them dry with paper towels. This is crucial for ensuring the bacon gets crispy.
* If the water chestnuts are particularly large, you can cut them in half or quarters. This makes them easier to wrap and eat.

**Step 2: Prepare the Bacon**

* Cut each strip of bacon in half. This makes them the perfect size for wrapping around the water chestnuts. You can use kitchen shears or a sharp knife.

**Step 3: Wrap the Water Chestnuts**

* Wrap each water chestnut with a piece of bacon. Secure the bacon with a toothpick, ensuring the ends of the bacon overlap slightly. Push the toothpick all the way through to hold the bacon in place.

**Step 4: Make the Glaze**

* In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic powder (if using), and Worcestershire sauce (if using). Mix well until the brown sugar is dissolved and the glaze is smooth.

**Step 5: Arrange the Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts**

* Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents the bacon from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
* Arrange the bacon wrapped water chestnuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure they are not overcrowded, as this will prevent the bacon from crisping properly.

**Step 6: Brush with Glaze**

* Brush the glaze generously over the top of each bacon wrapped water chestnut. Ensure they are evenly coated.

**Step 7: Bake**

* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
* Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked through and crispy and the glaze is bubbly and caramelized. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning. The cooking time may vary depending on your oven.

**Step 8: Serve**

* Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the bacon wrapped water chestnuts cool slightly before serving. Be careful, as the glaze will be very hot.
* Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

* **Drain the Water Chestnuts Well:** As mentioned earlier, draining the water chestnuts thoroughly is crucial for getting crispy bacon. Excess moisture will steam the bacon instead of allowing it to crisp up.
* **Use Regular-Cut Bacon:** Thick-cut bacon requires a longer cooking time, which can result in the water chestnuts becoming overcooked or mushy. Regular-cut bacon cooks more evenly and crisps up nicely.
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Baking Sheet:** Overcrowding the baking sheet will prevent the bacon from crisping properly. Arrange the bacon wrapped water chestnuts in a single layer, leaving some space between each one.
* **Adjust the Glaze to Your Taste:** Feel free to adjust the glaze to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter glaze, add more brown sugar. For a tangier glaze, add more ketchup. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
* **Use Parchment Paper:** Parchment paper makes cleanup a breeze and prevents the bacon from sticking to the baking sheet.
* **Broil for Extra Crispiness (Optional):** If you want extra crispy bacon, you can broil the bacon wrapped water chestnuts for a minute or two at the end of the baking time. Watch them carefully to prevent burning.
* **Make Ahead:** You can assemble the bacon wrapped water chestnuts ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake them. Just add a few minutes to the baking time.
* **Serving Suggestions:** Serve these as an appetizer at parties, holiday gatherings, or game-day celebrations. They pair well with other appetizers, such as cheese and crackers, dips, and vegetables.
* **Variations:** Experiment with different flavors by adding a sprinkle of sesame seeds, chopped green onions, or everything bagel seasoning before baking.

Glaze Variations

Here are a few variations on the glaze to spice things up:

* **Honey Garlic Glaze:** Substitute honey for brown sugar and add a clove of minced garlic to the glaze.
* **Maple Syrup Glaze:** Use maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a rich, sweet glaze.
* **Teriyaki Glaze:** Use teriyaki sauce instead of soy sauce and ketchup for an Asian-inspired flavor.
* **Spicy Glaze:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the glaze for a little heat.
* **Smoked Paprika Glaze:** Add smoked paprika to the glaze for a smoky flavour.

Step-by-Step with Pictures

(Imagine pictures would be inserted here to illustrate each step of the recipe. Descriptions of the images would accompany each step, showing the process visually.)

**Image 1:** Canned water chestnuts, drained and ready to be wrapped.

**Image 2:** Bacon strips, cut in half.

**Image 3:** Wrapping a water chestnut with a piece of bacon.

**Image 4:** Securing the bacon with a toothpick.

**Image 5:** Bacon wrapped water chestnuts arranged on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

**Image 6:** Brushing the glaze over the bacon wrapped water chestnuts.

**Image 7:** Baked bacon wrapped water chestnuts, golden brown and bubbly.

Troubleshooting Tips

* **Bacon Not Crispy:** Make sure you’re using regular-cut bacon and that you’ve drained the water chestnuts thoroughly. Also, ensure the oven temperature is correct. You can also broil them for the last minute or two.
* **Glaze Burning:** If the glaze is burning before the bacon is cooked, tent the baking sheet with aluminum foil.
* **Water Chestnuts Mushy:** This can happen if the water chestnuts are overcooked. Reduce the baking time slightly if you find they’re becoming mushy.
* **Toothpicks Burning:** Soak the toothpicks in water for about 30 minutes before using them. This helps to prevent them from burning during baking.

Serving Suggestions

Bacon wrapped water chestnuts are a versatile appetizer that can be served in a variety of ways:

* **As part of an appetizer platter:** Include them alongside other appetizers such as cheese and crackers, dips, and vegetables.
* **At a party or gathering:** They are always a crowd-pleaser and are easy to eat while mingling.
* **For game-day celebrations:** They are a great snack to enjoy while watching your favorite team.
* **As a side dish:** Serve them as a side dish with grilled meats or vegetables.

Storage Instructions

* **Refrigerate:** Store leftover bacon wrapped water chestnuts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheat:** Reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but the bacon may not be as crispy.
* **Freezing:** While you can freeze them, the texture of the water chestnuts may change slightly. If freezing, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Reheat them in the oven.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: 50-70 per piece
* Fat: 4-6g
* Saturated Fat: 2-3g
* Cholesterol: 10-15mg
* Sodium: 100-150mg
* Carbohydrates: 3-5g
* Sugar: 2-4g
* Protein: 1-2g

(Note: Nutritional information can vary depending on the specific ingredients used.)

Recipe Card

**Recipe Name:** Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

**Yields:** Approximately 24 pieces

**Prep Time:** 15 minutes

**Cook Time:** 20-25 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and dried
* 1 pound bacon, cut in half
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1/4 cup soy sauce
* 2 tablespoons ketchup
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
* 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce (optional)
* Toothpicks

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut each strip of bacon in half.
3. Wrap each water chestnut with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
4. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic powder (if using) and Worcestershire sauce (if using). Mix well.
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Arrange bacon wrapped water chestnuts on the baking sheet in a single layer.
7. Brush the glaze generously over the top of each bacon wrapped water chestnut.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bacon is cooked through and crispy and the glaze is bubbly and caramelized. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
9. Let cool slightly before serving. Serve warm.

Conclusion

Bacon wrapped water chestnuts are a simple yet incredibly delicious appetizer that’s perfect for any occasion. With their sweet and savory flavor and delightful textural contrast, they are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. This recipe provides everything you need to create the perfect batch, so get ready to enjoy this classic treat!