Golden Crunch Oven-Baked Fries

1. Prep Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees and adjust the rack to the lowest position. In a large bowl, take the peeled and cut potatoes, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and microwave. The goal is to achieve a slight translucency around the edges, which should take about 3 to 5 minutes. Halfway through, give the bowl a shake to ensure even cooking. Once done, carefully unwrap and transfer the fries to a cooling rack. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to prepare them for the next step.

2. Heat Oil

Now, grab a rimmed baking sheet and coat it with 5 tablespoons of the vegetable oil. Place it in the oven to heat until it's just starting to smoke, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes. As the sheet is heating, whisk together the remaining tablespoon of oil with the cornstarch and salt in a large bowl. Add your dried potatoes to this mixture and toss them until they're well coated.

3. Bake Fries

Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and arrange the potatoes in a single layer, ensuring they’re not touching each other for even cooking. Slide the baking sheet back into the oven and let the potatoes bake until they turn a deep golden brown and have a crisp exterior. This should take 25 to 35 minutes, and remember to flip the fries halfway through the bake time for consistent crispiness. Once they're done, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate and give them a gentle blot to remove any excess oil before serving.