Description
These Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts are a delicious appetizer featuring whole water chestnuts marinated in soy sauce, rolled in brown sugar, and wrapped in crispy bacon. Baked to perfection, they offer a savory-sweet flavor combination and a delightful crunch, perfect for parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Appetizer Ingredients
- 2 cans (8 oz each) Whole Water Chestnuts, drained
- 1/2 cup Soy Sauce
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 lb Bacon, cut crosswise into 1/3-inch slices
- Toothpicks for securing
Instructions
- Prepare the baking pan: Completely cover a cookie sheet or baking pan with aluminum foil to catch drippings and make cleanup easier.
- Set up cooling rack: Place a sprayed (non-stick spray) cooling rack over the foil-lined pan to allow air circulation around the bacon-wrapped chestnuts while baking.
- Marinate water chestnuts: Place the whole water chestnuts in a bowl and cover them with soy sauce. Let them marinate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to absorb the savory flavor.
- Drain chestnuts: After marinating, thoroughly drain the water chestnuts to avoid excess liquid during baking.
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
- Prepare brown sugar coating: Pour brown sugar into a shallow bowl or dish for rolling.
- Coat chestnuts with sugar: Roll each marinated water chestnut in the brown sugar until fully coated. This will add a sweet glaze when baked.
- Wrap with bacon: Take one 1/3 slice of bacon and wrap it tightly around each sugar-coated water chestnut. Secure the bacon in place using a toothpick.
- Arrange on rack: Place each bacon-wrapped chestnut on the prepared cooling rack over the baking pan, spacing them evenly.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the bacon is browned and cooked through.
- Optional broil for crispiness: To get a crispier bacon texture, you may broil the appetizers for the last few minutes of cooking. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
Notes
- Marinating water chestnuts overnight enhances flavor but at least 1 hour is sufficient.
- Using a cooling rack helps bacon cook evenly and stay crispy.
- Adjust baking time based on your oven and preferred bacon crispiness.
- Watch carefully during broiling as bacon can burn quickly.
- These appetizers can be served warm or at room temperature.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce tamari.
