Sweet and Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts
These Sweet and Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts are a super easy appetizer with big-time flavor. They're perfect for the holidays or any occasion...but make plenty, because they'll disappear fast!
Servings: 26 (approximate; serving size of 1 each)
Estimated Calories: 52
Ingredients
- 2 (8-ounce) cans whole water chestnuts
- 9 slices bacon, not thick-cut
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons sriracha, add more or less to taste
- chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Special Equipment
- plain, sturdy wooden toothpicks (don't use toothpicks that have any plastic or paper frills or decorations)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Drain the water chestnuts.
- Cut the bacon slices into thirds.
- Wrap each water chestnut in one piece of the bacon; secure the bacon with a toothpick.
- Place the wrapped water chestnuts in a 9x13-inch baking dish; bake for 25 minutes.
- While the water chestnuts are baking, combine the dark brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and sriracha in a small pot; heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, just until warmed through and the sugar has melted.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven and spoon the sauce over the water chestnuts, making sure each one is nicely covered (try not to get the sauce on the toothpicks).
- Return the baking dish to the oven and continue baking for another 25 minutes or until the bacon is cooked through and lightly crisp but still chewy.
- Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, if desired; serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
- The toothpicks can get blackened and sticky if sauce gets on them or just blackened from the heat of the oven. If you don't mind that, leave them as is. If you do, you can always replace them with fresh toothpicks before serving or you can simply just remove them. To help prevent blackening from the oven heat, try soaking the toothpicks in water for 30 minutes before using.
- Not into spicy food? Omit the sriracha.
- Serve right from the baking dish in the sauce or take them out of the sauce and serve them on a warmed plate.
- Remember food safety! Since these have bacon, don't let them sit out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
- If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat in a 325°F oven just until heated through.
- Estimated calories shown are for 1 bacon-wrapped water chestnut.
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