With only 4 ingredients, these bite-sized Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts are absolutely irresistible! The perfect Holiday appetizer that can easily be whipped up and on your table in no time at all.
The Perfect Appetizer
These savory morsels are totally addictive, and it’s impossible to eat only one or two. In fact, if making for a crowd, I would definitely double or triple the batch. Believe me, they won’t last long on a plate! The last time I made these, they disappeared in under 5 minutes.
The air fryer just gets better and better the more I use it. These were so quick and simple to make and so incredibly yummy. The chestnuts were cooked to perfection in under 10 minutes. The air fryer pan contains all the bacon splatters too, so cleanup is a breeze.
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Highlights
NEW YEAR’S EVE FAVORITE. This has been one of the most favorite and most requested go-to appetizer recipes for many New Year’s Eve get-togethers.
ADDICTIVE. I dare you to only eat one because I know we couldn’t. In no time, the plate was empty.
DELICIOUS. Need I say more! Anything with bacon in my opinion is always delicious. Bacon truly does make everything better.
QUICK AND EASY. Anything this good and that’s this quick and easy is a sure winner for any party, Holiday, or game day event. Marinate the water chestnuts in soy sauce, roll them in sugar, wrap a small piece of bacon around it, secure with a toothpick, and cook. That’s really all that’s to making these.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Water Chestnuts – Use canned whole water chestnuts. They provide such a nice crunch for this appetizer.
- Soy Sauce – I like to use low sodium soy sauce to control the amount of salt. The water chestnuts will be soaked in the soy and provides extra umami flavoring.
- Sugar– Plain white sugar is used here to coat the water chestnuts in. You could also roll them in brown sugar if you prefer.
- Bacon – I use a thinner bacon because water chestnuts are small and you don’t want the bacon to overpower the taste of the other ingredients. I’ll say that the bacon is definitely a star in this recipe. If you want less fat, buy center cut bacon.
How To Make Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts In The Air Fryer
Marinate water chestnuts. First you’ll need to marinade the chestnuts by placing the water chestnuts and soy sauce in a plastic bag or dish, for at least 20 minutes, or up to 1 hour. I would toss the mixture periodically to ensure an even coating. When the water chestnuts are well marinated, drain the liquid completely.
Wrap them up. Next, roll each water chestnut in the sugar and place it on a piece of parchment paper. Then wrap a half piece of bacon around each one, and secure with a toothpick.
Air Fry. Place each wrapped water chestnut in the air fryer basket and cook in the air fryer at 390°F for 8-10 minutes turning once halfway through. If you prefer the bacon cooked more or less, adjust the time in the air fryer. It’s okay to check the doneness more frequently if needed.
Are Water Chestnuts Healthy?
Water chestnuts are nutritious because they are high in fiber, low in calories, and contain no fat. They also contain several vitamins and healthy antioxidants. Water chestnuts are an excellent source of Vitamin B6.
Are Water Chestnuts A Starchy Vegetable?
Water chestnuts belong to the non-starchy, low-calorie fruit group, which has zero fat content and may help you lose weight.
Can I Bake These Instead Of Air Frying Them?
Yes of course! However, bacon grease splatters can occur in your oven which is why I prefer the air fryer for these. To bake, place them on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes at 375°F.
Are Chestnuts The Same As Water Chestnuts?
Chestnuts (also known as tree chestnuts) grow on chestnut trees, and are common throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. A water chestnut is not actually a nut. Indigenous to Southeast Asia, like rice, they thrive in wet, marshy fields, but like potatoes, they grow underground.
Expert Tips
- I recommend using thinner bacon as the water chestnuts are fairly small. However, if you only have thick cut, increase the cooking time from 8-10 minutes to 15-17 minutes.
- This recipe yields approximately 16 pieces based on 1 can of water chestnuts. Adjust your bacon quantity dependent on the number of chestnuts.
- For a richer flavor, roll in brown sugar instead of white sugar.
- I haven’t used fresh water chestnuts but I’m sure they would work as well if available.
- Depending on how many you make, or if you double the recipe, make sure the air fryer is not overcrowded for best results.
Leftovers
They are best eaten right out of the air fryer but can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Use the microwave on the reheat setting, or place them on a pan for heating in the oven.
Freezing
I would not recommend freezing these since water chestnuts do not freeze well.
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Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 ounces water chestnuts whole
- ¼ cup soy sauce low sodium
- ½ cup sugar white
- 8 bacon slices cut in half
Instructions
- Marinade water chestnuts: Place the water chestnuts and soy sauce in a plastic bag or dish, and marinade for at least 20 minutes, or up to 1 hour. Toss the mixture periodically to ensure an even coating. When complete, drain the liquid completely.
- Roll and wrap: Roll each water chestnut in the sugar, and then wrap a half piece of bacon around it. Secure each one with a toothpick.
- Air fry: Place each wrapped water chestnut in the air fryer basket. Cook in the air fryer at 390°F for 8-10 minutes turning once halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- A serving is roughly 4 bacon wrapped water chestnuts.
- I recommend using thinner bacon as the water chestnuts are fairly small. However, if you only have thick cut, increase the cooking time from 8-10 minutes to 15-17 minutes.
- This recipe yields approximately 16 pieces based on 1 can of water chestnuts. Adjust your bacon quantity dependent on the number of chestnuts.
- For a richer flavor, roll in brown sugar instead of white sugar.
- I haven’t used fresh water chestnuts but I’m sure they would work as well if available.
- Depending on how many you make, or if you double the recipe, make sure the air fryer is not overcrowded for best results.
- They are best eaten right out of the air fryer but can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Use the microwave on the reheat setting, or place them on a pan for heating in the oven.
We love these and have been making them for literally decades. I have never used sugar though and am wondering what changes in the flavor profile. Thank you for posting this as I never thought about putting them in the air fryer!
It adds a little sweetness to the soy sauce and bacon, so they’re a bit sweet and salty, great if you love the sweet and salty combo.