Homemade Cinnamon Twists (Taco Bell Copycat)
Homemade cinnamon twists are a sweet, crunchy treat made right at home that recreate that classic Taco Bell sweet without hitting the drive through. They’re quick to make, budget friendly, and perfect for when a dessert craving hits out of nowhere.
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If you’ve ever grabbed an extra cinnamon twist “for the kids” and then quietly eaten it yourself, you’re definitely in good company.
Now you can make the twists at home and make plenty for everyone!
These homemade versions of the Taco Bell dessert classic are light, airy, and coated in plenty of cinnamon sugar.
They are easy to make with with only 3 ingredients needed.
And they’re fun to make with kids, especially when the pasta puffs up in the oil and everyone gathers around to watch.
Whether you’re whipping these up for taco night, an after school snack, or a late night treat once the house is quiet, these copycat Taco Bell cinnamon twists are the kind of simple dessert that just makes life a little more fun.
And that’s pretty sweet!
Ingredients
To make this you’ll need:
- Cinnamon sugar – You can buy this premade or make your own homemade cinnamon sugar.
- Duros – Duros are a kind of Mexican pasta made from wheat flour mixed with cornstarch and baking soda. Those ingredients cause it to puff up when you fry it, which regular pasta doesn’t do.
- Canola oil – For frying
How to Make
Homemade cinnamon twists are easy to make.
Just add enough oil to a heavy bottomed pot, or fryer, until it reaches roughly 1 1/2 inches deep.
Heat the oil up to 350°.
Once the oil has come to temperature, add a handful of duros to the pot and cook just until they’ve puffed up.
Use a slotted spoon to scoop them out of the pot and transfer them to a paper towel lined plate or bowl to drain.
Repeat for the remaining duros.
Once you’ve fried all the duros, add the cinnamon sugar to a large mixing bowl.
Toss a portion of the duros with the cinnamon sugar until they are coat.
Put the cinnamon twists into a serving bowl, and repeat until all have been coated.
Enjoy!
Storing
If you have any homemade cinnamon twists leftover store them in a sealable bag on the counter for up to a 3 days or so.
Don’t refrigerate them or they will get soggy.
Can I use regular pasta or do I have to use Duros?
You cannot do this with regular pasta!
Regular pasta will stay hard when you fry it and duros won’t.
Duros are made from a mix of flour, cornstarch, and baking soda.
The cornstarch and baking soda are leavening agents that will make the pasta puff when you fry it unlike regular pasta which doesn’t have the leavening ingredients in them. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container on the countertop for up to 3 days.
You can buy them in the snack aisle or international food aisle in big grocers, at local Mexican grocery stores, or online here.
Tips and Tricks
- You can use other shaped duros pasta two switch things up, but make sure it’s duros. Other kinds of pasta will not yield the same results.
- Don’t overcrowd the oil when you are frying the duros or they won’t fry properly.
- You can turn these into a savory snack by coating them with chili powder and lime zest instead of cinnamon sugar.
Other Copycat Taco Bell Recipes
Homemade cinnamon twists are a delicious and spot on copycat of the popular Taco Bell dessert you’ll love.
Make them and enjoy!
Looking for other Taco Bell copycat recipes?
Try these:
- AM Crunchwrap
- Homemade Chalupas
- Nacho Fries
- Chicken Quesadillas
- Taco Bell Mild Sauce
- Crunchwrap Supremes
- Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
If you’ve tried these HOMEMADE CINNAMON TWISTS, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!
Homemade Cinnamon Twists (Taco Bell Copycat)
Instructions
- Add oil to a heavy bottomed pot, or fryer, until it reaches roughly 1 1/2 inches and heat to 350°.canola oil
- Once the oil's hot add a handful of duros to the pot and cook just until they've puffed up. Using a slotted spoon scoop them out of the pot and transfer them to a paper towel lined plate or bowl to drain.4 oz spiral shaped duros
- Repeat for the remaining duros.
- Add the cinnamon sugar to a large mixing bowl. Add some of the puffed and drained pasta, gently tossing until evenly coated.1 cup cinnamon sugar
- Transfer the cinnamon twists to a serving bowl, and repeat until all have been coated.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use other shaped duros pasta two switch things up, but make sure it's duros. Other kinds of pasta will not yield the same results.
- Don't overcrowd the oil when you are frying the duros or they won't fry properly.
- You can turn these into a savory snack by coating them with chili powder and lime zest instead of cinnamon sugar.
Nutrition
This post may contain affiliate links. As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full Disclosure Policy for details. As always, all opinions are my own.
