Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Smoky Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

 Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Smoky Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Ingredients

2 cans, 8 oz each, whole water chestnuts, drained

1 pound thick-cut bacon, cut into thirds

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon liquid smoke

Instructions

1. Drain the water chestnuts well and pat them dry with paper towels.

2. Cut the bacon into thirds. Wrap one piece of bacon around each water chestnut and place the bundles seam-side down in the slow cooker.

3. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar and liquid smoke until evenly combined.

4. Layer the bacon-wrapped chestnuts in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture evenly over the top, letting some fall between the layers.

5. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2½ to 3½ hours, or until the bacon is cooked through and the sugar has melted into a glossy glaze.

6. For more even coating, turn the bundles once or twice during cooking. Serve warm from the slow cooker or transfer to a platter with cocktail picks.

Tips

You can wrap the water chestnuts in bacon a day ahead and store them covered in the refrigerator. Add the brown sugar and liquid smoke when ready to cook.

For crisper bacon, partially cook it for a few minutes before wrapping. It should still be flexible.

For a thicker glaze, sprinkle an additional 2 to 3 tablespoons of brown sugar over the top during the last hour of cooking.

To make a smaller batch, halve all ingredients and check early, since the cooking time may be slightly shorter.