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Have you ever cruised through the Taco Bell drive-thru, promising yourself this time you’d only get a burrito, only to end up buying a bag of those crispy, sugary Cinnamon Twists? Yeah, me too!
Sometimes, it feels impossible to resist that crackly sound as your teeth sink into each sweet treat. The good news is you can easily make your own Cinnamon Twists!
And let me tell you, it’s way easier than you think—no secret chef training or hidden ninja skills required, ha!!
Instead of rolling out dough or measuring cups of flour, you’ll use duros (which are basically magical spirals that puff up when fried).
Then, just coat them in a sugar mixture with cinnamon for that classic sweet flavor. Think of it as a cross between crunchy churros and airy chips—all the yumminess, none of the hassle.
These homemade cinnamon twists are especially fun for a night in with friends, a quick after-school snack for the kids, or even a creative dessert for Taco Tuesday.
No worries, it doesn’t take much to enjoy them—just grab a few simple ingredients, heat some oil, and let the snacking commence.
Don’t be surprised if these become your new go-to “I need something sweet and crunchy ASAP” recipe. Cinnamon twists do disappear quick, though!
Some of our other favorite copycat recipes we have on our site include: Copycat Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Tenders, Best Copycat Maid Rite Recipe (Loose Meat Sandwich), and Copycat Chili’s Monterey Chicken Recipe.
Jump to:
- WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- HOW TO MAKE CINNAMON TWISTS:
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- WHAT ARE DUROS?
- CAN THESE BE MADE AHEAD?
- ANY ADDITIONS?
- HOW TO STORE:
- DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Copycat Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists Recipe
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Quick and Easy Cooking: This cinnamon twists recipe takes only a few minutes to fry up.
- Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: All it takes is duros, a little oil, and some cinnamon sugar. No big flour mixture, no rolling pin, no messing around with active dry yeast – such an easy recipe!
- Perfect Crunchy Texture: The duros puff up to become these amazing light spirals with a golden brown hue.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Cinnamon sugar
- Spiral-shaped duros
- Light oil (for frying)
HOW TO MAKE CINNAMON TWISTS:
- Heat about 1 ½ inches of oil to 350 degrees in a high-sided skillet.
- Place a few duros into the oil and let them puff up, about 15 seconds.
- Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined tray.
- Repeat with the other duros.
- In a large bowl, toss batches of the duros in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Serve immediately
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHAT ARE DUROS?
Duros are little spiral snacks made from wheat flour that magically puff up when fried.
They might look small and unexciting at first, but toss them into hot oil and watch them expand into crispy treats.
They’re common in Mexican cooking and can often be found at stores or through affiliate links online.
CAN THESE BE MADE AHEAD?
Yes, this cinnamon twist recipe can be made in advance!
After you fry them and let them cool, store them in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
They’ll stay crunchy, but if you want the absolute best results—meaning the freshest crunch—try to enjoy them the same day you make them.
ANY ADDITIONS?
Always! I know you all love to experiment a little.
- Brown sugar: Add some to your cinnamon sugar blend for a richer sweetness.
- Melted butter: Drizzle a touch of butter right after frying for a savory-sweet combo.
- Powdered sugar glaze: Whisk powdered sugar with a tiny bit of warm water, then drizzle on top for a sticky treat.
- Caramel sauce: Dip your twists in caramel if you’re feeling extra fancy.
- Sour cream dip: Believe it or not, a sweet-and-tangy dip can be delicious. Stir in a bit of sugar or honey to taste.
- Flaky pastry crumbs: Crush them and sprinkle over ice cream or a batch of crescent rolls for extra crunch.
- Chocolate drizzle: Melt some chocolate chips and streak it across the twists for a dessert-worthy finish.
- Spicy kick: Toss a pinch of cayenne pepper into the sugar mixture for a sweet-meets-heat surprise.
- Fruit topping: Turn them into a mini “nacho” dessert by adding diced fruit like strawberries or bananas.
- Cream cheese frosting: Dip these quick snacks into frosting for a replica of the great flavors of cinnamon rolls.
HOW TO STORE:
Room Temp:
Store these easy cinnamon twists in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
Refrigerator:
Storing these in the fridge can cause them to lose some crunch, so it’s not the best approach.
But if you must, place them in a large mixing bowl lined with plastic wrap or use a sealed container.
They might soften a bit, so pop them in the toaster oven to crisp them back up.
Freezer:
You can freeze your finished product in a single layer on a cookie sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag.
Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy them again. Keep in mind, they won’t be quite as crunchy as fresh-fried twists.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Don’t overcrowd the oil: Give your duros space to puff up—frying too many at once can make them stick together.
- Hot, but not too hot: Keep an eye on your oil temperature. If it’s too high, you could end up with burnt spots. If it’s too low, your twists may become oily.
- Little bowls help: Use a small bowl of cinnamon sugar for tossing a few twists at a time. This way, each twist gets a nice coating.
- Taste test as you go: Not sweet enough? Add more sugar. Want it spicier? Throw in a dash of cayenne. This is your chance to customize.
- Store properly: For best results, let them cool and then store them in an airtight container if you have any leftovers.
- Kids love to watch: If you have kiddos around, let them watch the duros puff up in the oil—they’ll think you’re a wizard!
A bag of cinnamon-coated snacks from Taco Bell may be good, but your own version can be even better.
You’ll impress your family with a plate of golden, sweet spirals in mere minutes—no drive-thru necessary.
You NEED to make these Cinnamon Twists today!!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
Copycat Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists Recipe
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 4 ounces spiral-shaped duros
- 1 cup cinnamon sugar
Instructions
- Heat about 1 ½ inches of oil to 350 degrees in a high-sided skillet.Vegetable oil for frying
- Place a few duros into the oil and let them puff up, about 15 seconds.4 ounces spiral-shaped duros
- Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined tray.
- Repeat with the other duros.
- In a large bowl, toss batches of the duros in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Serve immediately.1 cup cinnamon sugar
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the oil: Give your duros space to puff up—frying too many at once can make them stick together.
- Hot, but not too hot: Keep an eye on your oil temperature. If it’s too high, you could end up with burnt spots. If it’s too low, your twists may become oily.
- Little bowls help: Use a small bowl of cinnamon sugar for tossing a few twists at a time. This way, each twist gets a nice coating.
- Taste test as you go: Not sweet enough? Add more sugar. Want it spicier? Throw in a dash of cayenne. This is your chance to customize.
- Store properly: For best results, let them cool and then store them in an airtight container if you have any leftovers.
- Kids love to watch: If you have kiddos around, let them watch the duros puff up in the oil—they’ll think you’re a wizard!
Nutrition
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