Copycat Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists

When a craving for puffed, crispy cinnamon twists strikes, a visit to Taco Bell has been the easiest way to satisfy it. The craveable snack has been a fan favorite since the restaurant chain started serving the sweet twists in 1989, but now that I know how to make Taco Bell cinnamon twists quickly at home, it’ll be a while before Taco Bell sees me again!

Copycat Taco Bell cinnamon twists are an easy snack to make for parties and game nights, or a simple dessert to serve with other copycat Taco Bell recipes like the cheesy gordita crunch or Mexican pizza. The twists have a sweet cinnamon flavor like that of churros but with a lighter and crunchier texture. You need only four ingredients to make the twists, and the most important ingredient is duros.

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What are duros?

Duros are a popular snack food in Mexico and Latin America. They’re also called duros de harina, chicharrones de harina and frituras. Duros are a type of pasta made with wheat flour and cornstarch, and they’re available in many shapes, including flat sheets, wagon wheels, circles and twists. No matter the shape, they puff up dramatically, becoming airy and crispy with a texture like that of puffed cheese curls. Once they’re fried, duros can be tossed with sweet or spicy seasonings.

Ingredients for Copycat Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists

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• Duros twists: Check local Latin markets for packages of duros twists—they look like dark brown rotini pasta. You can also order them online at Amazon or international shops.
• Oil: To cook the duros, choose a high-heat oil for frying, such as safflower or avocado.
• Sugar: The fried cinnamon twists from Taco Bell are tossed in granulated sugar to sweeten them up.
• Cinnamon: Whatever type of cinnamon you prefer, whether it’s bold or mild, check the date on your spice bottle to make sure it hasn’t expired for the best flavor.
• Salt: Just a pinch of salt makes the whole batch of cinnamon twists even tastier.

Directions

Step 1: Heat the oil

Pour the oil into a large pot or Dutch oven to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. Heat it over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F on a digital thermometer.

Step 2: Make the cinnamon sugar

While the oil heats, stir together the sugar, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.

Editor’s Tip: The frying process goes quickly, so get everything ready before you get started. Line a wire rack with paper towels and grab a large bowl for tossing the twists.

Step 3: Fry the duros

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Carefully add a small handful of spiral duros to the hot oil. (Watch out for spatters!) The duros will sink at first, but in a few seconds, they’ll float to the top and start to puff. In about 10 to 15 seconds, the duros will be very large and completely puffed. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to the paper towel-lined rack. Continue frying until all the duros are cooked, checking the temperature of the oil between batches to ensure it remains at 350°.

Editor’s Tip: Add only a small amount of duros to the oil each time; they triple in size once fried!

Step 4: Coat in cinnamon sugar

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Transfer the still-warm twists from the paper towels to the large bowl. Pour the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top. Use a large spoon to thoroughly toss the twists until they’re completely coated. Serve immediately.

Editor’s Tip: There should be very little cinnamon sugar left in the bowl after tossing.

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Copycat Taco Bell Cinnamon Twist Variations

• Try other shapes: Duros are available in wheels, circles and strips, so try another shape. Fry them up and toss them in cinnamon and sugar just like the spirals.
• Make savory twists: For a tasty snack to enjoy with beer or soda, toss the warm twists in a savory spice blend like taco seasoning, chili lime Tajin, ranch dressing mix or southwestern seasoning.
• Make cheesy twists: Toss the fried duros in cheddar cheese powder for crispy, crunchy cheese twists.

How to Store Copycat Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists

To protect the flavor and keep cinnamon twists from Taco Bell crispy, they should be stored in a tightly covered container or a bowl covered with food wrap. Store the twists at room temperature.

How long do copycat cinnamon twists last?

The truth is that these copycat Taco Bell cinnamon twists will be eaten up quickly—they’re just too deliciously crunchy and sweet! If you do need to make them ahead of time, the good news is that these cinnamon-sugar twists will last for up to five days.

Can you freeze cinnamon twists?

I don’t recommend freezing Taco Bell cinnamon twists because they will lose their crispiness once thawed. It’s best to keep them stored at room temperature.

Copycat Taco Bell Cinnamon Twist Tips

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Can you make copycat Taco Bell cinnamon twists with other types of pasta?

Since spiral duros look so much like regular rotini noodles, it’s understandable to assume that any kind of pasta can be fried up this way. Unfortunately, regular pasta (the kind you boil) will not puff up into light, airy shapes when fried. It just burns! When learning how to make Taco Bell cinnamon twists, stick with spiral duros made from wheat flour and cornstarch. Or, make cinnamon-flavored snacks from duros of other shapes like wheels and strips.

Can you make copycat Taco Bell cinnamon twists in an air fryer?

I found that when made in an air fryer, a cinnamon twist like Taco Bell’s turned out much smaller and had a dense and chewy texture. It’s best to stick with frying the duros on the stovetop to get that light and crispy texture that we love for the cinnamon twists.

What else can you serve with copycat Taco Bell cinnamon twists?

While cinnamon twists from Taco Bell can be served on their own for dessert, you can also serve them with a side of sweetened whipped cream, creamy chocolate dip or a bowl of fruit salsa. Try crumbling cinnamon twists over ice cream sundaes or folding crushed cinnamon twists into softened vanilla ice cream. The twists are also fun to set out as part of a spread of Mexican food like beef and rice enchiladas or chili con carne.