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    Home » Gluten Free

    4 Ingredient Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists

    Published: Apr 4, 2021 · Modified: Apr 8, 2024 by burntapple · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Taco Bell is known for it's innovative Tex-Mex recipes. Today you can enjoy an easy recipe off their dessert menu. These Taco Bell cinnamon twists are crunchy, sweet and just a bit salty! And they are gluten free too!

    A bowl of Taco Bell cinnamon twists on a wooden cutting board
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • FAQ
    • Copycat Gluten Free Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists

    The original recipe for Taco Bell 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.

    We have plenty of delicious Taco Bell recipes on our site including our Taco Bell caramel apple empanadas. It pairs well with a taco salad, our ranch tacos, steak tacos, or any of these delicious Cinco de Mayo recipes.

    gluten free options at Taco Bell include dessert options

    Ingredients

    You only need 4 ingredients to make this recipe. You will need:

    • granulated sugar
    • cinnamon
    • salt
    • corn pasta

    Instructions

    For Deep Frying:

    1. Heat two to three inches of oil in a deep fryer or saucepan until it reaches 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
    2. In a small bowl, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
    3. Fry the uncooked pasta in the hot oil for about 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally with a large spoon or tongs. Ensure even cooking.
    4. Remove the fried pasta from the oil and let it drain for a couple of minutes on layered paper towels on a plate.
    5. Toss the fried pasta in the cinnamon, sugar, and salt mixture until evenly coated.

    For Air Frying:

    1. Cook the pasta in lightly salted water according to the package instructions. Drain and allow it to sit for 2-3 minutes.
    2. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
    3. Lightly spray the cooked pasta with cooking oil spray, then coat it in the cinnamon, sugar, and salt mixture.
    4. Place the pasta in the air fryer (you may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer) and cook for four minutes.
    5. Open the air fryer, flip the pasta using a spatula, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
    6. Transfer the cooked pasta to a paper towel-lined plate and, if needed, spray and toss it in the cinnamon, sugar, and salt mixture again 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 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!!!*****

    Equipment

    You will need something to deep fry your pasta in or you can do an 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.

    FAQ

    Are Taco Bell's Cinnamon Twists Vegan?

    Yes, Taco Bell's Cinnamon Twists are vegan-friendly. They are made without any animal-derived ingredients, making them suitable for individuals following a vegan diet.

    How Many Calories are in Taco Bell's Cinnamon Twists?

    One serving of Taco Bell's Cinnamon Twists typically contains around 170 calories. However, calorie content may vary depending on serving size and any additional toppings or sauces.

    Are Taco Bell cinnamon twists gluten free?

    The twists sold at the restaurant are not gluten free. But we did make sure to make some gluten free options at Taco Bell available to you at home by providing a gluten free option for making these cinnamon twists.

    A bowl of Taco Bell cinnamon twists on a wooden cutting board

    Copycat Gluten Free Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists

    Traci Wennerholm
    Sweet, salty and crunchy collide to make a Taco Bell favorite. You can now enjoy Taco Bell cinnamon twists in the comfort of home! Ready in under thirty minutes and you need only four ingredients! We even include a healthier air fryer version!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    5 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American, Mexican
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 77 kcal

    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 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

     

    Storage

    You can store your cinnamon twists in an airtight container for up to one week. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 77kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 2gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 74mgPotassium: 33mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.2mg
    Keyword are taco bell cinnamon twists gluten free, gluten free options at taco bell, taco bell cinnamon twists, twisted pastries
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    GF Corn frying recommendations courtesy FakingItGFStyle

    « Green Cherry White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
    Healthy Fried Rice Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sarah

      April 08, 2024 at 2:04 pm

      5 stars
      Loved these they turned out amazing!

      Reply

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