Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
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Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts are the perfect classic party appetizer for your next get together!
These Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts are a total throwback to the early nineties, teased hair, and tall shoulder pads. When I was thirteen our next door neighbor would throw fancy dinner parties and hire me to wear a white blouse with a black pencil skirt and pass hors d’oeuvres.
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She taught me how to walk in heels and make some quintessential appetizers. This Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts recipe being my favorite. Serve them with other 80’s classics like vegetable beef soup and hot chicken salad!
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Ingredients
Water Chestnuts – If I’m feeding adults I tend to use whole water chestnuts and large chunks of bacon, but when there are little kids making passes at the table, I do a smaller version and half or quarter the water chestnuts.
Bacon – Star of the show, so pick a good meaty brand.
Brown Sugar – (optional). To sweeten these up you can sprinkle with brown sugar before baking.
Hot Sauce – (optional). To spice these up, you can add a hot sauce dip for serving.
How To Make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
First, cut the bacon to a length that will wrap around the water chestnut
Next, wrap the bacon around the water chestnut and secure with a toothpick.
Then, repeat and place in a single layer in a rimmed baking pan. If you’re going to sprinkle with brown sugar, do so now.
Finally, bake at 375 for approximately 30-45 minutes, until bacon is cooked through and getting crispy.
What Is A Water Chestnut
A water chestnut is not a nut, but an aquatic tuber. It grows under the water in marsh mud.
Where Are Water Chestnuts Grown
Water chestnuts are native to Asia and are grown in China, Japan, India, and the Philippines, for example. They can also be grown in Australia, tropical Africa, and islands in the Pacific and Indian oceans.
Are Water Chestnuts Healthy
Water chestnuts are healthy, as they are low in calories but high in nutrients. A 100g serving has less than 100 calories, is very high in fiber, and a healthy dose of potassium, manganese, copper, Vitamin B6, and riboflavin.
Water chestnuts are also considered a “high volume” food, as they are filling due to their high water content (~74%) and fiber. This means eating water chestnuts will help you feel full while providing few calories, which may help with weight loss or maintenance.
What Do Water Chestnuts Taste Like
Raw water chestnuts taste crunchy and slightly sweet. Water chestnuts retain their crunch when cooked and have a mild flavor which is overpowered by sauces.
You can eat raw water chestnuts — wash and peel first.
How Do You Know If Water Chestnuts Have Gone Bad
Canned water chestnuts are usually safe to consume if in date. However, if your water chestnuts have an off odor or appearance you should discard them.
Can You Eat Water Chestnuts When Pregnant
Water Chestnuts are safe during pregnancy, and are a great nutritional addition to your diet. However, always consult your health practitioner with questions concerning your pregnancy.
Are Water Chestnuts Paleo
Water chestnuts are paleo, and would fall into the “starchy vegetable” category like sweet potatoes. They are relatively high in carbohydrates so would be an extra energy type food.
Are Water Chestnuts Keto
Water chestnuts, like all vegetables, can be consumed on a keto diet. However tubers, like sweet potatoes and water chestnuts, are higher in carbohydrates and should be limited to stay within your carbohydrate daily limit.
Are Water Chestnuts low FODMAP
Water chestnuts are low FODMAP.
Can You Make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Ahead Of Time
You can make bacon wrapped water chestnuts ahead of time, then reheat in a 400F oven for 5 minutes or so.
Alternatively, you could keep them warm in a slow cooker set on low, if you’ll be serving relatively soon.
What Are Some Dipping Sauces For Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Dipping sauces for bacon wrapped water chestnuts can be all kinds of things! Have a few out to try!
What’s The Difference Between An Hor D’oeuvre And An Appetizer
Technically, the difference between and hor d’oeuvre and an appetizer is that an hor d’oeuvre (literally “outside the meal”) is a one bite tidbit that is served separately or before the meal. An appetizer is considered a meal’s first course when seated for the meal. Technically. Whatever.
More Appetizer Recipes
What To Serve With Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
More Bacon Recipes
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnut Making Tools
Santuko knife – My favorite knife for cutting vegetables! This knife is the perfect size and shape, handles great, and is super reasonably priced. Also, I just love that it’s fun and colorful!
End grain cutting board – This is my absolute favorite cutting board and the one that I get the most compliments on. And p.s. I have a lot of cutting boards. It really is absolutely stunning, and knows how to take a beating. We use it every single day!
Bakers half sheet – It’s cool, we only have about six of these bakers half sheets because they’re good for absolutely everything. Cookies? Yes! Steak? Yes! Cake? Oh yeh! Roasted veggies? Uhhhh huh!
How To Make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Ingredients
- water chestnuts
- bacon
- optional: brown sugar or hot sauce I used Smoky Chipotle Tabasco
Instructions
- Cut bacon to a length that will wrap around the water chestnut .
- Wrap bacon around water chestnut and secure with a toothpick. Repeat and place in a single layer in a baking pan (make sure you're using a pan with sides, so you don't end up with a bacon grease fire!). If you're going to sprinkle with brown sugar, do so now.
- Bake at 375 for approximately 30-45 minutes, until bacon is cooked through and getting crispy.
- Serve with your choice of sauce (or not) and ENJOY!
Notes
Nutrition
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What a fabulous appetizer.
I grew up with these in the 70s. It was all the rage for cocktail parties. Now as a father and husband, my family and friends can’t get enough of them when I make them but once a year for New Years Eve.
P.S.
I broil mine instead of baking them. I also use a wire rack on the baking sheet to reduce the stickage.
love it!
This is truly helpful, thanks.