Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts (2024)

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posted by Crissy Pageon Aug 13, 2019 (updated Jan 19, 2024) 107 comments »

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When I think about holiday food, I always crave these bacon-wrapped water chestnuts. My mom used to make appetizer every year for a Christmas work party. She would whip up a second dish for us to eat at home.

Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe

I’d like to thank Kikkoman for sponsoring this post.

Since I loved eating bacon-wrapped water chestnuts as a kid, I was sure to swipe my mom’s recipe when I got older.

I did make one important change to this recipe. I add soy sauce to the dish.

Marinating the water chestnuts in soy sauce adds so much flavor.

RELATED: Looking for a great game day appetizer? Try my delicious sausage stuffed mini sweet peppers!

I recommend using Kikkoman Soy Sauce for this recipe. It’s simply the best!

Kikkoman’s Traditionally Brewed Soy Sauce is a major flavor enhancer and brings out the “umami” taste that everyone has been talking about.

How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts

After you marinate your water chestnuts, don’t throw out that soy sauce! You’ll be utilizing the marinade to create a truly delicious finishing sauce for the dish.

Quick tip—if you’re wanting to cut down on the sodium, try Kikkoman Less Sodium Soy Sauce—it also tastes great.

There are a few steps involved in making these scrumptious bacon wrapped water chestnuts.

They are really quite easy to make, and in my experience, are always a total crowd-pleaser!

I can’t keep my husband away from these things!

After you pop one of these sweet, tangy and crunchy little bites into your mouth, it’s difficult to stop reaching for more.

People will quite literally hover and linger around the dish holding these bad boys, and who can blame them? They are my absolute favorite holiday appetizer.

I can’t remember celebrating a Christmas without a big warm dish of bacon-wrapped water chestnuts. It’s a recipe that I genuinely adore, and I hope you’ll make it a part of your unique holiday celebrations this year as well.

Be sure to pin this recipe so you can easily find it later!

More Delicious Appetizers

Warm Cheesy Bacon Dip
Crock Pot Meatballs
Crock Pot Little Smokies

Yield: 1 7" x 11" dish

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Sweet and savory bacon wrapped water chestnuts are the perfect holiday appetizer!

Ingredients

2 (8 oz.) cans water chestnuts, drained
1 lb lean bacon, cut in half
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cupKikkoman Traditionally Brewed Soy Sauce
Toothpicks

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Soak water chestnuts in Kikkoman soy sauce for 15 minutes, stirring a few times to make sure they are fully coated.
Remove water chestnuts from soy sauce.
Wrap 1/2 strip of bacon around each; secure with toothpicks.
Reserve soy sauce.
Place chestnuts toothpick side up in a 7” x 11” glass baking dish.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 35 minutes or until desired crispness.
Remove chestnuts from dish and drain grease. Replace chestnuts in the same dish.
Meanwhile, add ketchup and brown sugar to reserved soy sauce, stir well to combine.
Pour sauce evenly over the chestnuts to coat.
Bake chestnuts an additional 20 to 30 minutes.

Notes

Initial bake time really depends on how you enjoy your bacon. Keep an eye on it and bake a little longer if you want it crispier!

Appetizers

originally published on Aug 13, 2019 (last updated Jan 19, 2024)

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107 comments on “Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts”

Diana Mallory — December 30, 2023 @ 5:27 pm Reply
We served these for Christmas and your recipe was a hit! Thank you for sharing! Making them again for New Years!
Rating: 5
Melissa Hendricks — December 16, 2023 @ 9:32 am Reply
Can I keep them warm in crockpot after they’re done?
Walt Keast — December 10, 2023 @ 7:11 pm Reply
This was indeed delicious!!!!
Beth Nickerson — December 10, 2023 @ 4:58 pm Reply
I have been looking for this recipe for at least 30 yrs!!! Someone made this at a party and I fell in love with it! Well, I was verbally given the recipe. I forgot it before I got home to write it down. (No, I wasn’t able to there. Hence, the verbal recipe.) I have searched for this since then!!! I can’t thank you enough! I’ve already written it down this time! Lol
Melissa Wilson — November 26, 2020 @ 5:12 pm Reply
I’m making these for Thanksgiving 2020. We’ve made similar recipes in the past, but never one where you marinate the water chestnuts first. That’s what drew me to this rendition. Can’t wait to try them because I’m certain they will be delish!
Nippon — January 2, 2020 @ 3:53 am Reply
Your work seems to be great. Continue the great effort!!
Rating: 5
LuAnn — November 21, 2018 @ 6:59 am Reply
Can these be prepared ahead of time? (marinated & wrapped). Looking forward to making these Thanksgiving this year.
Thanks
Erin — September 25, 2018 @ 8:55 am Reply
This recipe was delicious and super easy! I used liquid aminos instead of the soy sauce and it was wonderful, definitely a great and inexpensive appetizer.
Pattie — January 7, 2018 @ 1:14 pm Reply
I have made these in the past but did not include a sauce. That is ingenious!
Carol — December 30, 2017 @ 8:12 pm Reply
Easy to make and disappear in a heartbeat. Fantastic.
Rating: 5
- Crissy — December 30, 2017 @ 8:39 pm Reply
  Glad you liked them Carol!
nickie — December 11, 2017 @ 3:26 pm Reply
I like sweet potato casserole.
Tracy Couture — December 4, 2017 @ 8:51 pm Reply
See Also
21 Low Carb Appetizers CRISPY CRUNCHY CHICKPEAS THAT STAY CRISPY - The Genetic Chef The BEST Candied Pecans How to Make Roasted Pumpkin Seeds (in 6 Flavors!) | Wholefully
Just wondering if these bacon-wrapped water chestnuts need to be eaten warm, or are they good cold. If warm, can they be microwaved or should I keep warm in a crock pot?
- Crissy — December 5, 2017 @ 6:12 pm Reply
  Hey Tracy, we usually like to have them warm when an event starts but they honestly taste just as good when they’ve come to room temp. If I’m taking them somewhere I usually take in a glass baking dish covered with foil then try to pop into the oven if they have gotten cold on the drive.
D. Johnson — July 14, 2017 @ 6:50 pm Reply
I have been making Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts for many years. It is pretty much a requirement for the family Christmas party. Mine have nothing to do with ketchup. You might be able to cut your bacon in thirds I feel the chestnuts aren’t too big (and they usually aren’t.) Marinate them in the soy sauce as stated. Put enough white sugar in a Ziplock bag to cover a few chestnuts at a time. Then wrap with bacon and hold with a toothpick. Then I broil them for a few minutes. Keep an eye on them. The sugar causes the bacon to crisp up. Awesome ! Can’t imagine them swimming in ketchup and brown sugar, what a mess.
- BRENDA Jean DUEPNER — December 30, 2021 @ 2:13 pm Reply
  MAYBE a little messy, but worth it!!! I love them in the sauce. I’ll take your advice for the sugar though to crisp up the bacon. thanks.
JUDY BELAIR — March 5, 2017 @ 9:02 am Reply
First try at pinterest..BACON-WRAPPED CHESTNUTS SOUNDS FABULOUS!!!!
Cheryl B — January 1, 2017 @ 11:30 pm Reply
https://mobile.twitter.com/arress83/status/815777162875772928
Cheryl B — January 1, 2017 @ 11:29 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish is cheesy mashed potatoes.
Nicole B. — December 31, 2016 @ 8:04 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish my family makes is baked macaroni cheese.
Sarah L — December 31, 2016 @ 6:33 pm Reply
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/815339510837886978
Sarah L — December 31, 2016 @ 6:22 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish is stuffing! With lots of gravy.
Thanks for the contest.
Kathryn C — December 31, 2016 @ 4:45 pm Reply
my #SweepstakesEntry tweet:
https://twitter.com/thrincor/status/815311895540404224
Kathryn C — December 31, 2016 @ 4:40 pm Reply
#SweepstakesEntry- comment
I would have to say roast Turkey because I really only have it once or twice a year (holiday times)
Jerry Marquardt — December 31, 2016 @ 4:29 pm Reply
I publicly Tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/versatileer/status/815306780259524608
Jerry Marquardt — December 31, 2016 @ 4:23 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish is some nice Turkey with Stuffing, Baked Potatoes and of course, Sweet Potatoes.
Tabathia B — December 31, 2016 @ 4:14 pm Reply
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/815301840153743360
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B — December 31, 2016 @ 4:13 pm Reply
I love my grandma’s sweet potato casserole
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Chrissy — December 31, 2016 @ 2:15 pm Reply
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/krisgan07/status/815275100895322112
Chrissy — December 31, 2016 @ 2:14 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish is good old pumpkin pie!!
Heidi B — December 31, 2016 @ 8:47 am Reply
Twitter Entry https://twitter.com/zanderbear/status/815192423680868352
Heidi B — December 31, 2016 @ 8:46 am Reply
My favorite holiday dish is a dessert we call magic marshmallow rolls, but love my mom’s stuffed cream cheese mushrooms too.
Thomas Murphy — December 30, 2016 @ 10:24 pm Reply
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/815035910458843136
Thomas Murphy — December 30, 2016 @ 10:24 pm Reply
I like pumpkin pie.
Stephanie Phelps — December 30, 2016 @ 1:05 pm Reply
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/814895218407440385
Stephanie Phelps — December 30, 2016 @ 1:05 pm Reply
I love my green bean casserole with bacon at Christmas! It is the only time I make it and it is always a hit!
angie — December 29, 2016 @ 11:51 am Reply
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/814513606121455616
angie — December 29, 2016 @ 11:50 am Reply
My fav holiday dish is the homemade smoked gouda fondue we always make for NYE. Can’t wait! :-D
sandra — December 28, 2016 @ 1:33 pm Reply
probably sweet potato casserole
Ellie Wright — December 26, 2016 @ 8:17 pm Reply
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/813553303363665922
Ellie Wright — December 26, 2016 @ 8:14 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish is cornbread dressing.
Latanya — December 26, 2016 @ 4:41 pm Reply
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/813499818874118144
Latanya — December 26, 2016 @ 4:40 pm Reply
thanksgiving dressing
maria cantu — December 26, 2016 @ 4:31 pm Reply
I love pumpkin pie.

See Also
Super Easy Air Fryer Cream Cheese Wontons Recipe - Celebration Generation
Cynthia C — December 26, 2016 @ 10:11 am Reply
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/813401719132553216
Cynthia C — December 26, 2016 @ 10:10 am Reply
My favorite dish to make for the holidays is a seafood lasagna. Everybody loves it.
Debbie B — December 24, 2016 @ 11:38 pm Reply
i posted a tweet here:
https://twitter.com/purplepanda1966/status/812880016363163652
Debbie B — December 24, 2016 @ 11:37 pm Reply
my favorite holiday dish is turkey and dressing
Rebecca Merwin — December 24, 2016 @ 4:44 pm Reply
I’m trying this recipe for the first time. If the aroma from my oven is any indication as to how good these will be I will be making them more often.
Kristen — December 22, 2016 @ 9:55 am Reply
tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/811948136742535170
Kristen — December 22, 2016 @ 9:54 am Reply
I love Aunt Fanny’s Squash Casserole.
LAMusing — December 22, 2016 @ 1:04 am Reply
tweet – https://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/811814365355618304
LAMusing — December 22, 2016 @ 1:02 am Reply
My fave holiday food is berry bread pudding!
Jeffrey — December 21, 2016 @ 12:46 pm Reply
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/811628752304218112.
Jeffrey — December 21, 2016 @ 12:45 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish is sweet potato casserole. Growing up I would never even try it, don’t know how I’ve lived this long without them!
Rebecca W — December 19, 2016 @ 4:19 pm Reply
https://mobile.twitter.com/Michael64263870/status/810957553920253952
Rebecca W — December 19, 2016 @ 4:14 pm Reply
When we have special snacks, my family loves hot wings! We love buffalo sauce and ranch to go along with them. They don’t last long in our house!
Elle — December 19, 2016 @ 12:30 pm Reply
Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/810900179448643584
Elle — December 19, 2016 @ 12:26 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish is sweet potato pie with marshmallows on top.
Anastasia — December 15, 2016 @ 5:24 pm Reply
Tweeted :) – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/809523493779873793
Anastasia — December 15, 2016 @ 5:23 pm Reply
One of my favorite holiday meals is a warm, chunky pot roast!! But that might change after I make this recipe! Those pics look amazing! :)
susan — December 14, 2016 @ 9:27 pm Reply
this is one of our favorite family appetizers! We have been making them for many years!
Elizabeth — December 10, 2016 @ 7:35 pm Reply
https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/807744955691233280
Elizabeth — December 10, 2016 @ 7:35 pm Reply
My favorite holiday treat is meat balls. I love to put them in the crockpot and add a sweet sauce.
Colleen Rice — December 10, 2016 @ 12:09 am Reply
My favorite Christmas nibble are home made peanut butter cookies with a Hershey kiss in the middle. My mom who passed away always made them and now I continue the tradition ?
Liza Coulter — December 8, 2016 @ 11:01 am Reply
My favorite holiday dish was always my Gram’s homemade mashed potatoes. I miss them! These days it’s probably my white cheddar mac & cheese.
Jessie C. — December 3, 2016 @ 7:39 pm Reply
tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/805209611745759237
Jessie C. — December 3, 2016 @ 7:39 pm Reply
Green bean casserole is my favorite.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
CR Williams — December 3, 2016 @ 3:43 pm Reply
Tweeted https://twitter.com/mommysweetiepie/status/805150458981425152
CR Williams — December 3, 2016 @ 3:42 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish is honey baked ham!
Elena — December 3, 2016 @ 3:39 pm Reply
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/805149478411874304
Elena — December 3, 2016 @ 3:38 pm Reply
My favorite is sweet potato casserole
mami2jcn — December 3, 2016 @ 9:49 am Reply
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/805061296085434370
mami2jcn — December 3, 2016 @ 9:47 am Reply
My favorite holiday dish is honey baked ham.
Stephanie — December 3, 2016 @ 8:50 am Reply
tweet: https://twitter.com/akronugurl/status/805046466855182336
Stephanie — December 3, 2016 @ 8:49 am Reply
i love ham
Julie Wood — December 3, 2016 @ 8:18 am Reply
tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/805038326579220481
Julie Wood — December 3, 2016 @ 8:17 am Reply
My favorite Holiday dish is my Big Spiral Ham and scalloped potatoes I make every year for my Holiday dinner. And we love my Strawberry and Pecan pies!
Lisa Brown — December 3, 2016 @ 5:37 am Reply
tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/804997880301830144
Lisa Brown — December 3, 2016 @ 5:36 am Reply
stuffing and candied yams
Steven Epstein — December 2, 2016 @ 7:01 pm Reply
Roast Spatchco*cked Turkey which I learned from the martha stewart !! its incredible
Ashley Cook — December 2, 2016 @ 12:53 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish is lemon meringue pie! Look forward to it every year! Also love peanut butter cornflake cookies! So good! If we’re talking about side dish – I LOVE green bean bundles!
Steve Weber — December 1, 2016 @ 11:03 pm Reply
tweet- https://twitter.com/groogruxking40/status/804536441137229825
Steve Weber — December 1, 2016 @ 11:03 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish is green bean casserole
groogruxking40 @ gmail dot com
Ayana Pendergrass — December 1, 2016 @ 9:34 pm Reply
Tweet: https://twitter.com/MusiqManic/status/804513863093862400
Ayana Pendergrass — December 1, 2016 @ 9:33 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish is my mother’s chocolate chip cookies with walnuts!!! Love it!
Susan Smith — December 1, 2016 @ 7:55 pm Reply
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/804488944800899072
Susan Smith — December 1, 2016 @ 7:53 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish is pecan pie.
Kelly D — December 1, 2016 @ 5:37 pm Reply
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/804454377855426560
Kelly D — December 1, 2016 @ 5:36 pm Reply
Wild rice with celery is my favorite holiday dish.
Keri justice — December 1, 2016 @ 3:45 pm Reply
Homemade macaroni and cheese is my favorite holiday dish.
Margaret Smith — November 30, 2016 @ 8:05 pm Reply
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/804129238634926080
Thanks again.
Margaret Smith — November 30, 2016 @ 8:04 pm Reply
My favorite is spiral Ham. I look forward to this each Christmas. Thanks so much.
Mita — November 30, 2016 @ 3:31 pm Reply
https://twitter.com/mitadav/status/804060352124256256
Mita — November 30, 2016 @ 3:31 pm Reply
I like sweet potato casserole.
Michelle Poole — November 29, 2016 @ 9:29 pm Reply
Also tweeted about this post –https://twitter.com/MkDoodle/status/803787471628730368
Thanks for this giveaway and the recipe!
Michelle Poole — November 29, 2016 @ 9:21 pm Reply
These bacon wrapped water chestnuts combine my favorite things, so I’m excited to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing. I love appetizer dishes, especially around the holidays. My favorite holiday recipe is orange fluff, made from cream cheese, marshmallows, nuts, and orange jello. We only have it around the holidays, and I look forward to it all year long.
Kristie — November 29, 2016 @ 8:17 pm Reply
I skip the soya sauce and simply pour over them a jar of honey garlic sauce. They are definitely a crowd favorite
Natalie — November 29, 2016 @ 8:12 pm Reply
tweet – https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/803768295816040449
Natalie — November 29, 2016 @ 8:10 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish is my low fat apple and onion stuffing! It tastes so good yet is so good for you!
Heather! — November 29, 2016 @ 2:44 pm Reply
I tweeted about this post and amazing recipe!
https://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/803685860491280384
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
Heather! — November 29, 2016 @ 2:41 pm Reply
Holiday treats probably don’t (or SHOULDN’T) count as a dish, right? ;) So my favorite dish would probably be a sweet potato casserole that I started making about seven or eight years ago. It’s delicious! But my favorite treat is BUCKEYES!!
Colleen — November 28, 2016 @ 8:54 am Reply
Sugar Cookies!
Betsy — November 27, 2016 @ 10:32 pm Reply
I love a breakfast roll called a Peach Flip that my family has been making for years.
Lori Williams — November 27, 2016 @ 9:45 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish is Orange Pecan Pie! But these look amazing and may soon become my favorite. I love water chestnuts! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Jan — November 27, 2016 @ 8:50 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish is lemon lush. Those bacon wrapped water chestnuts are calling my name though. Lol. It’s something alittle extra to bring to someone’s house. Thanks.
Amy S. — November 27, 2016 @ 7:55 pm Reply
My favorite holiday dish is gingerbread cookies.