What are duros and where can I find them?

Duros are wheat-based pasta pellets that puff up dramatically when fried. You can find them in the Hispanic food section of many grocery stores, international markets, or Mexican specialty stores. They're sometimes labeled as wheat pellets, duritos, pasta para duros, or chicharrones de harina.

Why didn't my duros puff up properly?

The most common reason is oil temperature. If your oil isn't hot enough (at least 340°F), the duros won't puff correctly. Also, make sure you're using fresh duros—old ones might not expand as well. Finally, confirm you're using actual duros and not a similar-looking pasta that doesn't have the same puffing properties.

Can I bake or air fry these instead of deep frying?

Unfortunately, no. The puffing magic happens specifically due to the rapid heating in hot oil. Air fryers and ovens don't provide the immediate, intense heat needed for the transformation. Deep frying is essential for authentic cinnamon twists.

Is there a way to make these without all the sugar?

Absolutely! You can reduce the sugar or try alternatives like monk fruit sweetener or erythritol mixed with cinnamon. You could also try a light drizzle of honey or maple syrup instead of the dry coating. The twists themselves have very little flavor, so they're a great canvas for experimenting.

Taco Bell Copycat Cinnamon Twists Recipe

Name: Taco Bell Copycat Cinnamon Twists Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: Canola oil, or peanut oil, for frying; 1 ½ cups duros, spiral shaped; ¾ cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Description

A quick and easy copycat recipe for Taco Bell’s famous Cinnamon Twists using just a handful of ingredients, perfect for a light and crispy dessert or snack.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For frying

Canola oil, or peanut oil, for frying
1 1/2 cups duros, spiral shaped

For cinnamon sugar coating

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

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Instructions

Heat the oil: Pour oil in a deep pan about 2 inches deep. Heat to 350°F to ensure proper frying temperature.
Cook the duros: Add about 10 duros to the hot oil and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. They will puff up quickly. Ensure there are no dark spots, and push them into the oil if necessary to finish cooking. They should turn light and crispy when done, rather than hard or undercooked.
Drain and repeat: Line a pan with paper towels. Use a slotted spoon to remove the cooked duros and place them on the paper towels. Continue cooking the remaining duros in batches until they are all done.
Coat with cinnamon sugar: Mix the cinnamon and sugar together thoroughly. Toss the puffed duros into a ziplock bag with the cinnamon sugar mixture and shake well until coated. Serve immediately while warm and fresh.

Notes

Storage: These cinnamon twists are best served fresh and do not retain their texture or taste well as leftovers. Only make as many as you plan to eat at one time!

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 twist
Calories: 150
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 50mg
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg