Which food item takes 3 minutes to cook when frozen?

Onion rings are typically pre-fried or par-fried before freezing, which means they only require a brief cooking time to heat through and achieve a crispy texture. The 3-minute cooking time allows the outer coating to crisp while ensuring that the inner portion is properly heated, making them a quick option to serve.

In contrast, items such as chili, mashed potatoes, and cooked rice usually require longer cooking times when frozen, as they need to be heated thoroughly and brought to the appropriate temperature to ensure they are safe to eat and reach the desired consistency. Additionally, these items may need to be simmered or reheated in a way that integrates and blends flavors, which contributes to the longer cooking process.