Preheat your air fryer to 385°F. Preheating ensures that the bacon cooks evenly and crisps up perfectly right from the start.

Take your bacon slices and cut each one in half to create smaller strips. These shorter pieces are the perfect size for wrapping around the water chestnuts.

Place a single water chestnut at one end of a halved bacon slice. Roll the bacon tightly around the water chestnut, making sure the edges overlap slightly to hold everything in place.

Once rolled, insert a toothpick through the bacon and water chestnut to keep the wrap secure during cooking. This also makes them easier to serve as bite-sized appetizers.

Place the bacon wrapped water chestnuts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Be careful not to overcrowd them, as this could prevent the bacon from crisping evenly.

Cook at 385°F for 15–20 minutes. Shake the air fryer basket every 4–5 minutes to ensure even cooking and to prevent the bacon from sticking. Keep an eye on them, as cooking times can vary depending on your air fryer model and how crispy you like your bacon.

Once the bacon is golden and crisp to your liking, remove the water chestnuts from the air fryer. Be cautious—they’ll be very hot!

Transfer the bacon wrapped water chestnuts to a serving plate and let them cool slightly before serving. These are best enjoyed warm, straight out of the air fryer, but they’re still delicious at room temperature.