Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts with Tangy BBQ Sauce

thetipsyhousewife
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Sweet and Tangy Bites

A bacon wrapped water chestnut with BBQ sauce on a toothpick among other bacon wrapped chestnuts

These Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts with Tangy BBQ Sauce are a long time childhood memory for me. My Aunt Carol would make them for family parties and I remember thinking they were so exotic and gourmet when I was a kid.

The crunch of the water chestnut and crispy bacon are the perfect texture for the tangy BBQ sauce you quickly make in a saucepan with ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. All of this bakes up into a delicious appetizer that will be the hit of every party.

The full, printable recipe is below, along with serving size. I am just going to go over a couple of tricks I found when making these after my Aunt Carol sent me the recipe.

A bowl of water chestnuts

Water Chestnuts

Water chestnuts can be pretty jumbo. Carol’s recipe called for whole water chestnuts, but I felt it was better to cut them in half lengthwise, creating two thinner rounds.

A follower told me that she soaks her water chestnuts in soy sauce for a few hours or even overnight before wrapping them in the bacon. I will definitely try this method the next time I made these!

Chestnuts wrapped in raw bacon
I use a sprinkle of black pepper, onion and garlic powder on each back wrapped chestnut
The ingredients for BBQ sauce in a metal bowl

Making The Sauce

The sauce part of the Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts with Tangy BBQ Sauce is super simple: ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider, and Worcestershire.

I also add a few seasonings (listed in the printable recipe below). It comes together perfectly and goes great with the bacon wrapped water chestnuts.

It came to me that using a honey mustard for this recipe would also be great. I will have to give this a try and report back!

The cooked bacon wrapped chestnuts on a baking grate
The water chestnuts come out of the oven wrapped in crispy bacon.
Bacon wrapped water chestnuts

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts with Tangy BBQ

You can choose to multiply the recipe by however much you’d like.

These bites are a great choice to bring to a party but be warned: they’ll go quickly!

Yield: 8 to 10 Servings

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts with Tangy Barbeque

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts with Tangy Barbeque

A classic appetizer that everyone loves. Crispy bacon, crunchy water chestnuts and a delicious bbq sauce made with ketchup, mustard, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. You can assemble this appetizer ahead of time and bake it off when you are ready to serve.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb of Bacon (I used thick cut)
  • 2 cans of whole water chestnuts, drained
  • 1 cup of ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon of grainy mustard
  • 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire
  • 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup of brown sugar
  • Onion Powder
  • Garlic Powder
  • Black Pepper

Instructions

  • Cut your bacon strips into thirds.
  • Slice the water chestnuts in half lengthwise , creating 2 round, but thinner slices.
  • Wrap each water chestnut in a slice of bacon, place them on a wire rack that is placed on a baking sheet, seam side down. If you don't have a wire rack, use foil on a baking sheet. Sprinkle the bacon with black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
  • When the water chestnuts are all wrapped and on the baking sheet bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy.
  • In a saucepan add the brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire, apple cider vinegar and mustard, then add a sprinkle of the onion and garlic powder and black pepper. Does not have to be exact measurements but I use about a teaspoon or two of each. Season to your preference.
  • Whisk on low heat, bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes, whisking until the brown sugar is dissolved.
  • If you are making this ahead of time you can store the water chestnuts and sauce separately until you are ready to bake them. Up to two days.
  • Add the bacon wrapped water chestnuts to a baking dish and pour the sauce over. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, the serve with toothpicks.
    • © thetipsyhousewife
    A close up of a bacon wrapped water chestnut in BBQ sauce on a toothpick
    Garlic Steak Bites

    Garlic Steak Bites

    If you like this appetizer you also need to make my easy and affordable GARLIC STEAK BITES. These delicious bites are elegance on a budget.

    Serve them both for the ultimate fancy party!

    1 Comments

    • Thanksgiving Recipe Round Up – The Tipsy Housewife

      November 18, 2022 at 10:45 pm

      […] Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts […]

      Reply

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