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Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts – A New Year’s Eve Classic

One of our favorite New Year’s Eve Appetizers are Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts.

Whole water chestnuts that are first marinated in soy sauce. Then they are coated in brown sugar and wrapped in bacon. Once they are baked, they become the perfect hand held appetizer for any occasion.

bacon wrapped water chestnut
One of our favorite appetizers to serve on New Year’s Eve – Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Of course, any time that bacon is involved, the appetizers disappear from the serving tray within minutes.

Our Favorite Bacon Wrapped Appetizers

More New Year’s Eve Appetizer Recipes

And in our house, no New Year’s Eve would be complete without these Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts.  

Although they are simple to make, they are always a huge hit as everyone waits for the ball to drop. Here’s to a wonderful and prosperous New Year!

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe

Ingredients

Whole Water Chestnuts
Soy Sauce
Brown Sugar
Bacon

water chestnuts soaking in soy sauce
Let the whole water chestnuts soak in soy sauce for at least an hour to absorb the flavor.

Instructions

Marinate the water chestnuts in soy sauce for 1 hour. While the chestnuts are soaking, place the toothpicks in water and let them soak as well.

This will help prevent the toothpicks from burning during the baking process.

brown sugar bowl
Take each water chestnut and roll it in brown sugar.

When you are ready to make your bacon wrapped water chestnuts, place the brown sugar in a small bowl.

Then drain the water chestnuts and individually roll them in the brown sugar.

Then starting at one end, place the chestnut on the bacon and wrap each one.

Next, using the water soaked toothpicks, secure the end of the bacon and pierce it through the water chestnut.

bacon wrapped water chestnuts on baking rack
Place the bacon wrapped water chestnuts on a baking rack that is inside a rimmed baking sheet.

Place the bacon wrapped water chestnuts on a baking rack that is inserted inside a foil lined, rimmed baking sheet.

*Hint – it is helpful here to place a little water in the bottom of the baking sheet to prevent the bacon dripping from burning during the baking process.

Once the bacon is cooked, remove from the oven and then lightly dab each one on a paper towel to remove any remaining grease from the bottom.

Serve immediately or place on a platter and serve at room temperature.

paper towel
Once they come out of the oven, dab the bottoms on a paper towel to remove any dripping bacon grease.

Enjoy!

Mary and Jim

Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.

As always, feel free to email us at thefarm@owgarden.com with comments, questions, or to simply say hello! You can sign up for our free email list in the subscribe now box in the middle of this article. Follow us on Facebook here : OWG Facebook. This article may contain affiliate links.

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

  • 1 8 ounce can water chestnuts (drained )
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 8 slices bacon (cut in half )
  1. Marinate the water chestnuts in soy sauce for 1 hour.
  2. Soak toothpicks in water to prevent them for burning when baking.

  3. Drain the chestnuts and roll each one in the brown sugar.

  4. Wrap each chestnut with a half piece of bacon.

  5. Secure bacon with a toothpick by placing the toothpick towards the end of the bacon and piercing it through the water chestnut.
  6. Place the bacon wrapped water chestnuts on a wire baking rack that is placed in a rimmed baking sheet lines with foil. *To prevent the dripping bacon grease from burning, add a little water to the bottom of the baking sheet.

  7. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 25-30 minutes or until bacon is cooked through.

  8. Drain on paper towels and serve warm or at room temperature.

This recipe can be prepared ahead of time and stored in refrigerator until ready to bake.

Recipe courtesy of Old World Garden Farms