Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists are light, airy snacks coated in a sweet cinnamon-sugar blend, just like the ones from the drive-thru. This easy homemade version uses 4 ingredients to recreate the classic treat at home.
Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists are a nostalgic favorite that combine a crispy, airy texture with a sweet cinnamon-sugar coating. Theyโre the perfect light snack or dessert when you’re craving something quick, fun, and full of flavor.
The best part? You can easily make them at home with just a few basic ingredients and a couple of simple tricks.
It is super easy to make this copycat recipe and such an Easy Cinnamon Dessert Recipe.
Table of contents
Why We Love This
- Crispy and light โ Their airy texture makes them incredibly satisfying without being too heavy.
- Sweet and nostalgic โ The cinnamon-sugar coating brings back memories of classic fast-food treats.
- Quick and easy โ Made with just a few ingredients and ready in minutes.
- Perfect for sharing โ A fun snack to serve at parties, game nights, or movie marathons.
- Customizable โ Try different sugar blends or dips like chocolate or caramel for a tasty twist.
Ingredients
- Cinnamon and Sugar. The classic combo that gives these twists their signature sweet flavor. Simple but absolutely irresistible.
- Spiral Duros. These puffed wheat snacks are the secret to recreating authentic cinnamon twists. Look for spiral-shaped duros de harina at Mexican grocery stores or specialty markets.
- Vegetable Oil. Ideal for frying due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor. It ensures the twists puff up quickly and evenly without overpowering the taste.
Find the complete list of ingredients at the bottom of the page.
Variations
- Savory Twist. Skip the cinnamon sugar and go savory by adding a splash of fresh lime juice and a sprinkle of chili powder to the fried twists. Add a pinch of salt and serve with nacho cheese sauce for dipping.
- Sugar-Free Version. Swap out the sugar for your favorite sugar substitute to make a lower-sugar version of this sweet treat. Great for those looking to cut back without losing the flavor.
- Spiced Sugar Blend. Mix cinnamon with a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin spice for a seasonal twist on the classic coating.
- Chocolate Drizzle. After coating with cinnamon sugar, drizzle with melted chocolate or dip one end for a fun dessert upgrade.
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1. Mix together the topping. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Step 2. Heat the frying oil. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or deep fryer until its approximately 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also use canola oil or a dutch oven.
Step 3. Arrange the pasta in the oil. Place the pasta in a single layer in the oil (approximately 10-15 pieces). Fry for 1 minute until the pasta puffs up. Remove the pasta from the oil with a slotted spoon.
Step 4. Remove from oil. Place in a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the excess oil.
Step 5. Place in a large bowl. Then move the pasta to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the pasta.
Step 6. Serve this yummy treat. Then cinnamon twists are ready to serve and enjoy!
Storage
Room Temperature:
Store cooled cinnamon twists in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep them in a dry place to maintain their crisp texture.
Avoid Refrigeration:
Refrigerating the twists can make them soggy, so it’s best to avoid storing them in the fridge.
Re-Crisping Tip:
If the twists lose their crunch, pop them in a 300ยฐF oven for 5โ7 minutes to crisp them back up.
Pro Tips
- Keep a Close Eye While Frying. The duros puff up in seconds, so never walk away from the stove. Overcooking can happen quickly and result in burnt or overly hard twists.
- Fry in Small Batches. Only fry a few pieces at a time to prevent overcrowding. This ensures even cooking and helps avoid oil overflow. Since they cook so quickly, small batches wonโt slow you down.
- Coat Immediately. As soon as the twists come out of the oil, sprinkle them with the cinnamon-sugar mixture while they’re still hot. This helps the topping stick perfectly.
- Serve with Ice Cream. For a fun dessert twist, serve cinnamon twists over a scoop of No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream for a crispy, creamy treat.
- Chocolate Dipping Sauce. Pair with warm chocolate sauce for dipping to take this snack to dessert-level indulgence.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make this recipe in the air fryer at 475 degrees for 7 minutes. Make sure they do not overlap or touch so the air can flow between them.
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to fry them in batches. After they cook, coat in the cinnamon and sugar mixture. You will need to spray them with cooking spray after they cook so the coating will stick.
However, the cinnamon and sugar topping does not stick to the pasta when air fried as well as when traditionally fried.
Yes, feel free to swap the sugar for your favorite sweetener substitute.
You might be surprised what this treat consists of. It is made with wheat pasta called Duros. As it fries, this pasta puffs up and turns into the texture you are familiar with at Taco Bell.
The process is very quick and takes about a minute before they puff up.
It is a type of wheat pasta that you can find at Mexican Markets or grocery stores. It is different from regular pasta and called duros de harina. If you have trouble finding Duros, you can purchase on Amazon.
This particular type of pasta is the shape of rotini spiral pasta and made with a mixture of wheat flour. Deep frying makes the pasta crispy and puffy. Cooked duros in hot oil transforms them into the best texture.
It does not take long for duros to transform into the puffed texture that you are familiar with. Regular pasta will not puff up when fried.
No, you can’t substitute other varieties of pasta for Duros. Traditional pasta will not puff up when fried.
More Copycat Dessert Recipes
- Copycat Swiss Roll Cake
- Disney Churro Recipe
- Copycat Hostess Ding Dong Cake
- Wendyโs Frosty Recipe
- Copycat Thin Mint Cookies
Everyone will love these copycat taco bell cinnamon twists. Please leave a comment and star rating after you try them. It’s so fun to enjoy them in your own home.
Taco Bell Cinnamon Twist
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
- 4 ounces Spiral Duros
- Vegetable Oil for frying
Instructions
- Stir together the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.ย Set aside.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or deep fryer until its approximately 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the pasta in a single layer in the oil (approximately 10-15 pieces) and fry for 1 minute until the pasta puffs up.ย Remove the pasta from the oil to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the excess oil.
- Continue this process until all the pasta is fried.
- Then move the pasta to a large mixing bowl.ย Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mixture over the pasta and gently toss the pasta until itโs coated.
- Then cinnamon twists are ready to serve and enjoy!
