Desserts
Taco Bell Inspired Cinnamon Twists
Airy, hollow wheat twists fried until dramatically puffed, then tossed with a fine cinnamon-sugar coating for a light, crisp snack.
Inspired by Taco Bell
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Serves
6 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Pantry match
Uses the current servings and temporary recipe changes.
Missing 6 ingredients
- • 8 ounces dried wheat duros or chicharrones de harina spiral pellets made for frying
- • 6 cups neutral frying oil, or enough for 3 inches in the pot
- • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- • 1/8 teaspoon fine salt
- • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
View ingredient-by-ingredient match
- 8 ounces dried wheat duros or chicharrones de harina spiral pellets made for fryingMissing
- 6 cups neutral frying oil, or enough for 3 inches in the potMissing
- 1/2 cup granulated sugarMissing
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamonMissing
- 1/8 teaspoon fine saltMissing
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmegMissing
Optional ingredients are not counted as required.
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Method
Recipe notes
This unofficial recreation depends on the correct fry-to-puff wheat pellets, often sold as duros or chicharrones de harina; ordinary rotini pasta is unsafe and will not expand properly. The very short fry keeps the twists airy and pale before cinnamon sugar is added.
Planning, storage, and serving
Storage and reheating
Store fully cooled twists airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping dip refrigerated separately for up to 4 days. Recrisp twists for 2 to 3 minutes in a 300°F oven if needed.
Make-ahead tips
Mix the cinnamon sugar and prepare the chocolate dip up to 3 days ahead. Fry the twists the same day you plan to serve them because humidity gradually softens the shells.
What to serve with it
- - Fresh strawberry slices
- - Hot coffee
- - Vanilla frozen yogurt
Equipment needed
- - Heavy Dutch oven
- - Deep-fry thermometer
- - Wire rack and spider strainer
Difficulty explained
The pellets puff in seconds, so success depends on correct ingredients, a thermometer, and removing each small batch promptly.
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Nutrition facts
Updating nutrition…
Alternatives
Apply a reviewed substitution to this temporary working copy. The published recipe stays unchanged.
Browse reviewed options
Half-and-half
Use an equal amount of half-and-half for a lighter cream sauce.
Evaporated milk
Use an equal amount of evaporated milk when you want dairy richness with less fat.
Dark chocolate
Use the same weight of 60-70% dark chocolate.
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Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- Ordinary pasta does not puff like wheat duros and remains dangerously hard, so verify the package before frying.
- Dark brown twists taste bitter; they need only seconds in correctly heated oil and should remain pale golden.
- Coating cooled twists makes the sugar slide off, so toss them while a trace of surface oil remains.
Nutrition Context
- The puffed structure makes each piece light, though frying oil and cinnamon sugar still supply most of the calories.
- The optional chocolate dip substantially increases richness, so serve it in a small shared bowl.
FAQ
Can I use regular rotini pasta?
No. Ordinary pasta will not puff and can remain tooth-breakingly hard; use wheat duros specifically labeled for frying.
Where can I find the pellets?
Look in Mexican grocery snack aisles or online for spiral chicharrones de harina or wheat duros made to puff in oil.
Why did my twists turn dense?
The oil may have been too cool or the pellets may not have been the fry-to-puff type.
How fast do they cook?
Most puff fully in 20 to 35 seconds, so prepare the rack and cinnamon sugar before heating the oil.
Can I make them ahead?
Yes, earlier the same day. Cool completely and seal airtight to protect them from humidity.
What sides pair best with this dish?
Good pairings include Fresh strawberry slices; Hot coffee; Vanilla frozen yogurt. Choose one or two based on how substantial you want the meal to be.