Description
Crispy, sweet, and savory bacon-wrapped water chestnuts baked to perfection and glazed with a rich brown sugar and ketchup sauce, perfect as a flavorful appetizer for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 can (approximately 225 g) whole water chestnuts, drained
- 1 package (approximately 340 g) center cut bacon
- Toothpicks
Glaze Ingredients
- 240 ml ketchup
- 200 g packed brown sugar
- 15 ml Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 175°C (about 350°F) and allow it to fully preheat to ensure even cooking throughout the baking process.
- Prepare Bacon and Water Chestnuts: Cut the bacon slices into thirds. Wrap each drained water chestnut with one-third slice of bacon and secure tightly by piercing through with a toothpick to hold the bacon in place.
- Arrange for Baking: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray it with non-stick spray. Place each bacon-wrapped water chestnut on the sheet in a single layer, ensuring they are spaced apart for even heat circulation.
- Initial Baking: Bake the bacon-wrapped water chestnuts for 25 minutes or until the bacon starts to crisp, which helps render some fat and crisps the bacon partially.
- Prepare Glaze Sauce: While the bacon-wrapped water chestnuts bake, combine ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce in a small saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely, roughly 5 minutes, then remove the glaze from heat.
- Apply Glaze and Continue Baking: Remove the baking sheet from the oven after 25 minutes. Spoon the prepared glaze generously over each bacon-wrapped water chestnut. Return the sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until the bacon is fully caramelized and sticky.
- Serve: Carefully transfer the bacon-wrapped water chestnuts to a serving platter and serve warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- For easier cleanup, line the baking sheet with foil before placing the appetizers on it.
- Use center-cut bacon for a better balance of meat and fat that crisps well without overpowering the water chestnuts.
- Secure each piece with toothpicks to ensure bacon stays wrapped during baking and to make serving easier.
- You can prepare the glaze in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Serve immediately after baking to enjoy the bacon’s crispness and the glaze’s sticky sweetness.
