Bacon-wrapped water chestnuts are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer that is perfect for any occasion. This dish is made with only a few simple ingredients and can be easily modified to suit your taste. The water chestnuts are wrapped in bacon and then baked until crispy. They can be served as is or with a dipping sauce of your choice.
Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) water chestnuts, drained
- 1 package (16 oz) bacon
- Toothpicks
Method
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Wrap each water chestnut with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until bacon is crispy.
These bacon-wrapped water chestnuts are best served warm. You can also prepare them ahead of time and reheat just before serving. If you do this, you may need to bake them for a few minutes longer to crisp up the bacon.
Potential changes & improvements
There are many ways that you can change up this recipe to suit your taste. Some possible variations include using different types of bacon, wrapping the water chestnuts in half-strips of bacon, or adding a dipping sauce. You can also experiment with different seasonings on the bacon or in the dipping sauce. For a spicier version, try wrapping the water chestnuts in bacon that has been seasoned with cayenne pepper or chili powder. If you want a sweeter flavor, you can brush the bacon with a honey glaze before baking. The possibilities are endless!
What other food it works well with
Bacon-wrapped water chestnuts pair well with many other dishes. Try serving them with a salad, roasted vegetables, or grilled chicken. They would also be a great addition to a buffet table or as an appetizer for a party.
Common Mistakes
One common mistake when making this dish is not wrapping the bacon tightly enough around the water chestnut. This can cause the bacon to unravel and fall off during baking. Be sure to wrap the bacon snugly around the water chestnut and secure it with a toothpick. Another mistake is not preheating the oven before baking. This will result in the bacon not getting as crispy as it should. Always preheat the oven so that the bacon has a chance to cook evenly.
Nutritional Information
One serving of this dish (three bacon-wrapped water chestnuts) contains approximately:
- 300 calories
- 23 grams of fat
- 11 grams of saturated fat
- 70 mg of cholesterol
- 1100 mg of sodium
- 17 grams of carbohydrates
- 2 grams of sugar
- 7 grams of protein
This dish contains the following allergens:
- Bacon