Sweet and Spicy Sweet Potato Fries

I have been making these for years and I have to let you in on a little secret...these are just as good when made from the bag of frozen sweet potato fries.  They may even be better because, hey, you're not peeling and chopping up a sweet potato (not that it's hard, but I'm just sayin').  

But, either way, from a whole sweet potato or from the bag, these are the best side dish.  The mix of sweet, spicy and salty is such good combination.  And once under the broiler, the brown sugar caramelizes and makes them so crispy.  We like them extra salty so I always give them a good helping of more salt right when they come out of the oven.   

On a side note, if using frozen from the bag, omit the oil and initial salt and pepper...just follow the instructions for baking until they are pretty much done (about 20-22 minutes), then follow the instructions for the broiler and seasonings.  

4 servings

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1/2 inch sticks (or 1 bag of frozen fries)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon chili powder

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Place cut sweet potatoes onto a 9x13 baking pan, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Use your hands to ensure the sweet potatoes are completely coated.  Bake for 25-30 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender.  Take out of the oven and turn on the broiler.  Sprinkle with chili powder and brown sugar and toss to coat.  Place baking sheet under the broiler for just a couple of minutes until the brown sugar starts to caramelize and the potatoes start to crisp.  Sprinkle with additional Kosher salt if desired.