Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Recipe

By Becky Hardin

Updated Jun 10, 2026

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These Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts are a simple and delicious appetizer perfect for game day, family gatherings, or any type of celebration. The soy-marinated water chestnuts turn out crunchy and flavorful, and once I add the bacon…yum! Super simple to prepare and easy to cook; I can never go wrong serving these appetizers.

The Ideal Sweet, Savory, and Crunchy Appetizer

Bacon wrapped water chestnuts are one of my favorite appetizers. I love serving them during the holidays and at get-togethers. Anything with bacon is already a favorite of mine, but the combination of soy-marinated, crunchy water chestnuts, sweet brown sugar, and savory bacon is just so yummy.

I try to keep a can of whole water chestnuts in the pantry, and I usually have a package of bacon in the fridge, so pulling this appetizer together, even at the last minute, is really simple. While the water chestnuts marinate in the fridge, I can tackle the rest of my prep list. Once they are done marinating, I throw them in the oven and let the bacon crisp up and caramelize.

This recipe makes enough to feed a small crowd, but if I’m expecting a big crowd, I’ll make twice as much.

Tips for Beginners

• Buy whole water chestnuts. Check the can to make sure you pick up whole water chestnuts and not sliced water chestnuts. The sliced ones will be difficult to wrap in the bacon.
• Any type of bacon works. Use turkey, pork, or whatever you prefer, as long as it is cut into strips.
• Don’t skip the rack. Bacon releases grease as it cooks. Using the rack allows the grease to drip away, preventing the water chestnuts from becoming soggy.

Recipe Card

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Difficulty: Easy

4.49 from 58 votes

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 30 minutes mins

Marinate: 1 hour hr

Total: 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Author: Becky Hardin

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These Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts feature soy-marinated water chestnuts wrapped in crispy bacon that turn out crunchy and flavorful.

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 cans 8 oz. whole water chestnuts drained
• ▢ ½ cup soy sauce
• ▢ 1 cup brown sugar
• ▢ 1 lb. bacon cut crosswise into thirds
• ▢ toothpicks

Video

Instructions 

• Completely cover a cookie sheet or baking pan with aluminum foil.
• Place a sprayed cooling rack over the pan to catch the drippings.
• Marinate the water chestnuts in soy sauce for at least 1 hour (or overnight).
  2 cans 8 oz. whole water chestnuts , ½ cup soy sauce
• After marinating, drain the water chestnuts.
• Preheat the oven to 350F.
• Place the brown sugar in a bowl.
  1 cup brown sugar
• Roll each water chestnut in the brown sugar.
• Wrap ⅓ of a slice of bacon around each chestnut and secure with a toothpick.
  1 lb. bacon , toothpicks
• Place on the prepared pan.
• Bake for 30-45 minutes or until browned. You can broil the water chestnuts for the last few minutes to crisp the bacon. Watch closely.

Becky’s Tips

• Whole water chestnuts are easier to wrap than sliced, so check your can.
• Use turkey, pork, or whatever bacon you prefer, as long as it is cut into strips.
• Use a rack to allow the grease to drip away as the bacon cooks, so your water chestnuts don’t get soggy.
• Store uneaten water chestnuts in the fridge for 2-3 days. Eat cold or reheat in the oven.

Serving: 1servingCalories: 371kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 8gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 1211mgPotassium: 216mgSugar: 29gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Step by Step

Prepare a cookie sheet and marinate the water chestnuts: Cover a cookie sheet or baking pan with aluminum foil and place a sprayed cooling rack on top. Marinate two 8 oz. cans of water chestnuts in ½ cup soy sauce for 1 hour or overnight.

Drain the water chestnuts: Remove from the fridge and drain.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Get the brown sugar ready: Place 1 cup of brown sugar in a bowl. Roll each water chestnut in the brown sugar.

Wrap the water chestnuts: Wrap ⅓ of a slice of bacon around each chestnut and secure with a toothpick.

Bake: Place the bacon wrapped water chestnut on the pan and bake for 30-45 minutes or until browned. For crispier bacon, broil the water chestnuts for the last few minutes to crisp the bacon. Watch closely.

Serve: Serve the water chestnuts and enjoy.

How to Store

Leftover water chestnuts can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. I actually like eating these cold, but you can reheat them in a warm oven.

Make Ahead

When I need to get things prepped ahead of time, I’ll prepare these water chestnuts up to the point where they need to go in the oven. I’ll store them in the fridge for a day and then cook accordingly.

Serving Suggestions

Whether I’m hosting for game day or the holidays, I like to pair these sweet and savory water chestnuts with a creamy white queso, and I’ll make homemade tortilla chips or grab some at the grocery store. A batch of hot honey chicken wings adds more substance and balances out all the options.

This recipe is perfect for feeding a small crowd with a few other appetizer options. If I’m hosting a large group, I’ll double the recipe.

More Bacon Wrapped Appetizers To Try

• This recipe for Bacon Wrapped Pineapple can be served hot or cold and comes together with just four ingredients.
• Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots are sweet and spicy for the perfect finger food.
• Bacon Wrapped Shrimp feature a brown sugar glaze that deliciously coats each shrimp.

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