Sweet, salty and crunchy collide to make a Taco Bell favorite. You can now enjoy them gluten free from the comfort of home! Ready in under thirty minutes and needing only four ingredients! We even include a healthier air fryer version and a way to enjoy them sugar free too!
The Original
The original cinnamon twists are a favorite treat by those who frequent Taco Bell. Taco Bell fries duros or duritos wheat pasta (found at Mexican markets) in oil then tosses the fried pasta in cinnamon and sugar before serving.
Substitutions
This gluten free version uses corn pasta (or a combination of corn and rice pasta) and fries it in hot oil. For a healthier version we have a simple and easy air fryer recipe too! The corn pasta will not puff up like duros pasta will but still gives a satisfying crunch and makes for a delicious sweet, salty and crunchy dessert!
Gluten Free Pastas
As stated above, you will ONLY want to use corn or corn and rice gluten free pasta substitutions. We tried using other combinations like quinoa, vegetable, etc and they were disasters!
Gluten free pastas that worked:
- Barilla Rice and Corn Rotini (available in most grocery stores)
- Sam Mills Gluten Free Fusilli Corn Pasta (available in some health food stores and on Amazon)
- La Veneziane Corn Gluten Free Rigatoni or Other Spiral Pasta (available on Amazon and in select specialty food stores)****Most recommended!!!*****
Sugar
Taco Bell uses good old granulated sugar but since you're making it at home you are welcome to use sugar free versions as well. We use and love Miss Jones Smart Sugar since it doesn't have a weird aftertaste like other sugar free versions.
Salt
You need salt in this recipe. It is a must. It just gives it a little boost.
Oil
You can use a good old fashioned vegetable oil for frying for this recipe.
Air Fryer Method
The air fryer method requires a little more work. The best is the good old fryer as you can toss the pasta immediately in the salt, sugar and cinnamon and it sticks really well. The air fryer version may require you to spray the pasta lightly with cooking oil after removing it from the air fryer before tossing it in the salt, cinnamon and sugar mixture.
Copycat Gluten Free Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists
Equipment
- air fryer
- deep fryer
Ingredients
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (sugar free can be substituted)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼-1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 oz gluten free corn pasta
Instructions
For Deep Frying:
- Preheat two-three inches of oil in a deep fryer or saucepan to 325 degrees farenheit.
- In a small bowl, combine the sugar, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
- Fry the uncooked pasta in the hot oil for approximately 1-2 minutes. Use a large spoon or tongs to stir pasta part way through cooking. Remove the fried pasta from the oil and and let it drain for a couple of minutes on several layers of paper towels lining a plate. Toss pasta in cinnamon, salt and sugar mixture.
For Air Fryer:
- Cook pasta in lightly salted water according to package directions. Drain pasta, allow to sit for 2-3 minutes.
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. Lightly spray pasta with cooking oil spray, then toss in cinnamon, sugar and salt mixture.
- Place pasta in air fryer (depending on size of air fryer this may need to be done in batches) and cook for four minutes. Open air fryer, flip pasta with a spatula and cook an additional 2-3 minutes. Transfer cooked pasta to a paper towel lined plate and spray and toss pasta in cinnamon, sugar and salt mixture again prior to serving if needed.
Notes
Gluten Free Pastas
You will ONLY want to use corn or corn and rice gluten free pasta substitutions. We tried using other combinations like quinoa, vegetable, etc and they were disasters! Gluten free pastas that worked:- Barilla Rice and Corn Rotini (available in most grocery stores)
- Sam Mills Gluten Free Fusilli Corn Pasta (available in some health food stores and on Amazon)
- La Veneziane Corn Gluten Free Rigatoni or Other Spiral Pasta (available on Amazon and in select specialty food stores)****Most recommended!!!*****
Sugar
Taco Bell uses good old granulated sugar but since you're making it at home you are welcome to use sugar free versions as well. We use and love Miss Jones Smart Sugar since it doesn't have a weird aftertaste like other sugar free versions.Storage
You can store in an airtight container for up to one week.GF Corn frying recommendations courtesy FakingItGFStyle
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