These Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts (also known as rumaki) are the ultimate party snack! Perfect for game day gatherings, potluck parties, and more, they’re a true crowd-pleaser. Tender-crisp water chestnuts are wrapped in salty bacon and coated with a sweet and tangy honey-barbecue glaze to create an irresistible appetizer that will have everyone begging for the recipe.
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Why You’ll Love This Rumaki Recipe
- Flavor-Packed: Savory bacon, juicy water chestnuts, and a sweet and tangy honey-barbecue sauce create the perfect combination of flavors.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you're hosting a game day party, holiday gathering, or potluck, these water chestnuts wrapped in bacon are guaranteed to impress!
- Bacon Makes Everything Better: Wrapping anything in bacon takes it to the next level and this easy bacon and water chestnuts recipe is no exception!
If you love bacon wrapped appetizers, check out these Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers and these Bacon Wrapped Potatoes next.
Ingredients
- Water Chestnuts: These are sold in cans and are typically located in the Asian section of most grocery stores. Be sure to purchase whole water chestnuts, not the sliced ones.
- Bacon: You can use any brand of bacon you’d like, low sodium if preferred.
- BBQ Sauce: Feel free to use your favorite brand and variety of BBQ sauce or try a homemade BBQ sauce.
- Honey: This gets mixed with the BBQ sauce to add sweetness and help the glaze caramelize as it cooks. Use any brand and variety of honey you’d like.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Spicy: Mix some sriracha with the honey and BBQ sauce to give these bacon water chestnuts a kick of heat.
- Turkey Bacon: Lighten things up with lean turkey bacon in place of the pork bacon.
- Maple Flavor: Swap the honey for pure maple syrup to change up the flavor in these quick and easy bacon wrapped water chestnuts.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
To get started making this recipe for bacon wrapped water chestnuts, preheat your oven to 400°F and spray a 9x13” baking dish or cast-iron skillet with non-stick cooking spray.
- Step 1: Wrap the water chestnuts. Cut the bacon in half, and then wrap each water chestnut with the cut bacon. Stick a toothpick through the center to hold it together.
- Step 2: Make the glaze. Whisk together the BBQ sauce and honey in a mixing bowl.
- Step 3: Prepare for baking. Place the water chestnuts wrapped in bacon into the prepared baking dish or cast-iron skillet. Drizzle the BBQ-honey glaze over top.
- Step 4: Bake. Place the coated water chestnuts into the oven and bake until the bacon is crispy, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some ideas for serving this bacon water chestnut recipe:
- These mouthwatering bites make the perfect addition to any party spread. Serve them alongside these Spanish tapas and this caprese appetizer to impress your guests.
- Make these for your next game day gathering with other favorites like buffalo chicken nachos and sweet chili chicken wings.
- Add them to your New Year’s Eve hors d'oeuvres menu along with these deviled eggs and artichoke spinach stuffed mushrooms.
Expert Tips
- Arrange in a single layer: Place the wrapped water chestnuts in a single layer in the baking dish, and make sure they are not overlapping. This helps them cook evenly and allows the bacon to crisp up better.
- Serve with rumaki sauce: Make some extra honey-barbecue sauce and mix in some soy sauce and ginger to create a tasty dipping sauce to serve on the side.
- Storing: Store leftover water chestnuts and bacon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 400° F for 5-10 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave them but I find they don't crisp as much.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Preheat your air fryer to 375°F and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray. Cut the bacon in half and wrap each water chestnut, securing it with a toothpick. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each piece. You may have to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Air fry for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bacon is crispy. Meanwhile, whisk together the barbecue sauce and honey. Transfer the cooked water chestnuts to a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate and drizzle with the glaze. Then, place them back in the air fryer and cook for 2-3 more minutes to caramelize.
You sure can! Keep them in the fridge up to a day in advance and then reheat them in a 400° F oven until warmed through, about 7 minutes. You can also go ahead and wrap them in bacon up to 24 hours ahead and store them in the fridge until you're ready to cook them.
More Delicious Appetizers
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Easy Bacon Water Chestnuts Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds bacon
- 2 cans whole water chestnuts
- 1 cup barbeque sauce
- 1 cup honey
- toothpicks
Instructions
- Cut your bacon in half. Wrap each water chestnut with bacon and secure it with a toothpick. Place in a 9x13 cake pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.
- Combine barbeque sauce and honey and whisk to combine. Drizzle over water chestnuts.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until bacon begins to crisp.
- Serve warm.
Video
Notes
- Make sure the wrapped water chestnuts are arranged in a single layer before baking so that they cook up evenly.
- Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to 4 days, and reheat in a 400°F oven until warmed through.
- Try switching things up and use turkey bacon instead of pork bacon for a lighter version.
Kristen says
What is the white dip shown in the picture?
Kadee says
It's just mayo with a little mustard in it. Super yummy. But not necessary for this dish. We love it with sweet potato medallions.
Erin V says
kids ate these up way too fast - i'll have to make more next time!
Kadee says
It depends on your oven and your bacon. I have made them in 45 minutes and up to an hour. If I have a thicker cut of bacon I bake for an hour. A thinner cut - 45 minutes.
FoodAddict says
These Bacon Wraps looks so delicious, ill give this recipe a try. But i am quite sure the ones i make wont be as good as these ;)
Kadee says
You won't be disappointed!!
Anna says
My husband went CRAZY over these.