Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts with Pre-Cooked Bacon (Rumaki)

These bacon-wrapped water chestnuts are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer for any gathering! With their delightful crunchy texture, sweet and savory flavor, and crispy bacon strips, this dish is always a huge hit at holiday parties, game day, or even New Year’s Eve celebrations. This classic appetizer is simple to make and uses pre-cooked bacon, saving you tons of time in the kitchen.

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Why You’ll Love Rumaki – Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts:

• Crunch of the water chestnuts: The crispy whole water chestnuts provide a wonderful crunchy texture in every bite.
• Savory bacon goodness: The combination of thin-cut bacon and the sweetness of brown sugar glaze makes this a delicious appetizer recipe. In a pinch, you can use BBQ sauce.
• An easy appetizer for a crowd: With just a few ingredients and simple prep, these are perfect for special occasions, potlucks, or when hosting a lot of people. You can wrap the water chestnuts the day before and keep them in the fridge until the day of your party. The wrapping is what takes the most time.
• Customizable: You can swap thinner bacon or even use turkey bacon for a lighter option.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Rumaki:

• 2 cans of whole water chestnuts, drained
• 1 pound of pre-cooked bacon, cut into half strips
• 1 1/2 cups ketchup
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Wooden toothpicks to secure

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat Your Oven: The first thing to do is set your oven to 375 degrees F. A preheated oven ensures even cooking and gives the bacon its signature crunch. Line a baking sheet or baking tray with aluminum foil on the bottom for easy cleanup. Place a wire rack on top of the sheet for maximum crispiness.
2. Prepare the Bacon and Water Chestnuts: Warm up the pre-cooked bacon for about 10 seconds in the microwave. This makes it pliable for wrapping. Drain the whole water chestnuts to remove excess liquid. Each chestnut should be dry for the savory bacon to stick properly. Use kitchen scissors to cut the bacon in half.
3. Wrap and Secure: Take a half strip of bacon and wrap it around a water chestnut. Secure it with a wooden toothpick and place the wrapped chestnut in a single layer on the wire rack. Having the water chestnut in a single layer to you can quickly grab them for dipping.
4. Make the Savory Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together, Ketchup, Sweet brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and Soy sauce. (This mixture creates a deliciously savory sauce with a hint of sweetness. You can also add a pinch of garlic powder or smoked paprika for extra flavor.)
5. Coat and Bake: Dip each bacon-wrapped water chestnut into the sauce, ensuring it’s fully coated. Arrange them back on the wire rack. Place the rack in the oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the crisp bacon is perfectly golden.

Pro Tips for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts:

1. Use a wire rack: Elevating the chestnuts on a rack ensures they cook evenly and stay crispy.
2. Avoid soggy bacon: Always pat dry your package of bacon and water chestnuts to remove excess moisture.
3. Use Scissors: to make trimming the bacon easy.
4. Make-ahead appetizers: You can assemble these the night before and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Just bake them fresh before serving.
5. Great alternatives: Swap ketchup for barbecue sauce or add a sprinkle of chili flakes for a spicy twist.

Why does the Recipe use Pre-Cooked Bacon?

Using pre-cooked bacon is a total game-changer when it comes to making this appetizer. Not only does it save you valuable time in the kitchen, but it also guarantees that you won’t end up with undercooked bacon—a common issue when wrapping cold ingredients.

Pre-cooking the bacon allows it to get a head start, so by the time the water chestnuts are perfectly heated through, your bacon is golden and crispy. Whether you prefer thick-cut bacon for a hearty bite or center-cut bacon for a leaner option, starting with pre-cooked bacon ensures faster cooking, more even results, and that irresistible crunch everyone loves. It’s the key to nailing that perfect balance of flavor and texture in every bite.

Using pre-cooked bacon ensures faster cooking, more even results, and that irresistible crunch everyone loves. It’s the secret to achieving the perfect balance of flavor and texture in every bite.

When To Serve this Recipe:

This classic dish is not only a popular appetizer but also a versatile one. Serve these at:

• Holiday parties: Add them to your appetizer for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
• Game day snacks: These are a great way simple appetizer for football game parties.
• Special occasions: Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or dinner party, these make tasty bites everyone loves.
• Next potluck: Bring these to any gathering, and they’ll disappear in minutes!

Storing and Reheating:

If you have leftovers (which is rare!), place them in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, pop them in the oven or air fryer basket for a few minutes to restore their crispiness.

These Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts with Pre-Cooked Bacon are truly the ultimate delicious appetizer recipe. Their crunchy texture, mild flavor, and sweet brown sugar glaze make them a standout addition to any menu. Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or feeding a crowd, this recipe is sure to be a huge hit.

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