Sweet and Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts
An irresistible crowd-pleaser, these Sweet and Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts are perfect for any gathering or festive occasion. Combining the savory, smoky flavor of crispy bacon with the delightful crunch of water chestnuts, this dish is sure to be a hit at your next party. The surprise inner texture of the water chestnuts perfectly complements the rich flavors of the sauce made from ketchup, Worcestershire, soy, and a kick of hot sauce, balanced with just the right amount of sweetness. Perfectly suited for serving in a crock pot, these finger foods will keep warm and ready for guests to enjoy throughout the festivities!
20
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bacon
1 lb (Cut into halves)
Water Chestnuts
2 (7 ounce) cans (Drained)
Ketchup
1 (14 ounce) bottle (None)
Worcestershire Sauce
1 teaspoon (None)
Soy Sauce
To taste (None)
Hot Sauce
To taste (None)
Sugar
1/2-1 cup (None)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Cut the bacon slices into halves and set aside.
3
Wrap each drained water chestnut with a half slice of bacon and secure it with a wooden toothpick.
4
Arrange the bacon-wrapped water chestnuts in a single layer in a shallow 9x13 inch baking dish.
5
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until the bacon begins to brown, then carefully drain the excess grease.
6
In a mixing bowl, combine the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, hot sauce to taste, and sugar. Stir the mixture until well combined.
7
Pour the sauce evenly over the bacon-wrapped water chestnuts in the baking dish.
8
Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to caramelize.
9
Serve warm and enjoy as a delicious finger food at your next gathering!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sweet and Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts?
They are a savory and sweet appetizer consisting of water chestnuts wrapped in bacon and baked in a tangy ketchup-based sauce.
What are the main ingredients for this recipe?
The main ingredients include 1 lb of bacon, two 7-ounce cans of water chestnuts, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, hot sauce, and sugar.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How should the bacon be prepared?
The bacon slices should be cut into halves before wrapping the water chestnuts.
Do I need to drain the water chestnuts?
Yes, the water chestnuts should be drained before wrapping them in bacon.
How do I keep the bacon from falling off?
Secure each bacon-wrapped water chestnut with a wooden toothpick.
What size baking dish is required?
A shallow 9x13 inch baking dish is recommended for arranging them in a single layer.
How long is the initial baking period?
Bake the wrapped chestnuts for 30 minutes until the bacon begins to brown.
What should I do after the first 30 minutes of baking?
Carefully drain the excess grease from the baking dish before adding the sauce.
What is in the sauce?
The sauce is a mixture of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, hot sauce, and sugar.
How much sugar is used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1/2 to 1 cup of sugar, depending on your sweetness preference.
Is the soy sauce amount specific?
No, the soy sauce and hot sauce are added to taste.
How much ketchup is needed?
One 14-ounce bottle of ketchup is used for the sauce.
How long do they bake after adding the sauce?
Bake for an additional 30 minutes to allow the sauce to caramelize and flavors to meld.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield approximately 20 servings.
Can I serve these in a crock pot?
Yes, these are perfect for serving in a crock pot to keep them warm during a party.
What kind of texture do the water chestnuts provide?
The water chestnuts provide a delightful crunch that complements the crispy bacon.
Is this recipe good for large gatherings?
Yes, it is described as an irresistible crowd-pleaser and perfect finger food for any festive occasion.
Can I make the sauce spicy?
Yes, you can adjust the kick of the dish by adding hot sauce to taste in the mixing bowl.
What is the total baking time?
The total baking time is approximately 60 minutes.
How should the dish be served?
Serve them warm as a finger food appetizer.
Do I need to stir the sauce before pouring?
Yes, stir the sauce mixture until it is well combined before pouring it over the dish.
Can I use a larger can of water chestnuts?
The recipe specifies two 7-ounce cans, which typically fits 1 lb of halved bacon slices.
What is the purpose of the sugar?
The sugar balances the savory flavors and helps the sauce caramelize during the second bake.
Is this considered an easy recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe with straightforward preparation steps.
What holiday is this suitable for?
It is tagged for holiday snacks and is suitable for any festive gathering.
Can I use regular toothpicks?
Yes, wooden toothpicks are recommended for oven use.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients: bacon, water chestnuts, ketchup, Worcestershire, soy sauce, hot sauce, and sugar.
What preparation is needed for the Worcestershire sauce?
No special preparation is needed; just measure 1 teaspoon.
Can I adjust the amount of bacon?
The recipe is balanced for 1 lb of bacon, but you can scale it as needed for more guests.