Nuuk Brisk Air Fryer Review: Healthy Snacking Without Guilt
Healthy eating has become a major trend across India. More people now choose nutritious snacks over traditional fried foods. Air fryers have gained massive popularity as a result. Many individuals feel guilty about eating deep-fried items that contain excessive oil and calories. The health consequences are real and concerning.
Health-conscious consumers still crave crispy samosas, crunchy fries, and golden chicken. They simply want these foods without the baggage of traditional deep-frying. Numerous people avoid fried dishes completely. They don't avoid them because they lack cravings. They avoid them because the health trade-off seems too significant.
Nuuk recently expanded its home appliance collection with the Nuuk Brisk 6.5-litre air fryer. We tested the Serene Grey colour variant. Other options include Nuuk Red and Sesame Grey. Priced at Rs 8,999, this device promises to deliver fried food texture and taste using minimal or no oil. We tested this air fryer through various recipes over several weeks. Here is our detailed experience.
Design and Build Quality
The Nuuk Brisk creates a positive first impression. Its 6.5-litre capacity feels substantial without overwhelming your kitchen. It fits comfortably on most kitchen counters. The Serene Grey finish appears modern and clean. It avoids the overly plasticky look common in budget air fryers.
The touch control panel proves intuitive. It features a digital display with preset cooking modes for common items. These include fries, chicken, fish, and vegetables. Temperature and time adjustments remain straightforward. The physical buttons respond well to touch.
The pull-out basket has a sturdy handle and slides smoothly. The non-stick coating inside the basket looks durable. The 6.5-litre capacity offers practical cooking volume for families of 3-4 people. It's large enough to prepare snacks for a small family without multiple batches. To demonstrate the basket size, we roasted a whole chicken without cutting it into smaller pieces.
Performance and Cooking Results
We tested the Nuuk Brisk with multiple dishes. These included frozen French fries, homemade potato wedges, chicken wings, paneer tikka, vegetable pakoras, and reheated leftover pizza. Results varied by dish but were generally positive.
Frozen fries came out crispy and golden. They closely matched the texture of deep-fried versions. We used just one tablespoon of oil, sprayed lightly across the fries. The result impressed us with its closeness to traditional frying. Chicken wings developed a satisfying crispy skin. They required flipping halfway through for even browning.
Homemade items like pakoras and potato wedges worked well. They needed slightly more oil brushed onto the surface than frozen products. The air fryer excelled at reheating. Leftover pizza regained its crispiness without becoming soggy. Microwaves often struggle with this task.
The temperature range covers most cooking needs. It spans from 80°C to 200°C. Preheating takes about 4-5 minutes. Cooking times remain reasonable. Fries take roughly 15-18 minutes. Chicken pieces take around 20-25 minutes, depending on size.
Food develops a crispy exterior while staying moist inside. It's not identical to deep-frying. There's a subtle textural difference. But it's close enough that most people won't mind. The health benefits make this compromise worthwhile.
Practical Considerations and Limitations
The Nuuk Brisk has practical constraints worth acknowledging. First, the cooking capacity for a single batch is limited. While 6.5 litres sounds generous, overcrowding the basket reduces air circulation. This compromises results. For larger gatherings, multiple batches become necessary. This extends total cooking time.
The cooking presets don't always work perfectly. They require human intervention. Initially, we tried following the presets. They didn't offer desired results. We had to increase cooking time or temperature for each food. Later, we made judgment calls when setting temperature and time for each item.
The air fryer doesn't completely eliminate oil. It dramatically reduces oil usage compared to deep frying. Most foods still benefit from a light oil spray or brush for optimal crispiness and flavour. Expecting completely oil-free cooking that tastes identical to deep-fried food is unrealistic.
Cooking time is longer than deep frying. French fries that take 4-5 minutes in hot oil need 15-18 minutes in the air fryer. For time-pressed cooking, this matters significantly.
The device generates noticeable noise during operation. It's not disruptive but audible enough that you'll hear it across the kitchen. The fan running at high speed creates a consistent hum. However, one helpful feature is the halfway beep. It reminds you to flip food for even frying on both sides.
The basket lights up when you open it, start cooking, or when it's time to flip food. The light remains on for almost a minute after cooking begins. This light offers a glimpse into cooking progress. It shows how far food has cooked or if pieces have stacked upon each other.
Cleaning is relatively straightforward. The basket and tray have a non-stick coating that wipes clean easily. Some foods, especially marinated items, can leave residue requiring scrubbing. The basket is dishwasher-safe, making maintenance easier.
The Nuuk Brisk won't replace all cooking methods. It excels at foods benefiting from dry heat and crispiness. It struggles with dishes requiring moisture or specific cooking techniques. You'll still need your gas stove, oven, and pressure cooker for such recipes.
Final Verdict
The Nuuk Brisk 6.5L Air Fryer is a solid, practical appliance. It delivers meaningful health benefits without completely sacrificing taste or texture. At Rs 8,999, it represents reasonable value for what it offers.
The Nuuk Brisk makes practical sense for specific groups. These include health-conscious individuals who want fried food without guilt. Families looking to reduce oil consumption without eliminating favourite dishes will appreciate it. People who enjoy frozen snacks and want better results than microwaving will find it useful.
However, it may not suit everyone. Traditionalists who prefer authentic deep-fried taste and texture might find it lacking. People cooking for large groups regularly may feel limited by the 6.5L capacity. Anyone expecting zero-effort cooking should note that air frying still requires attention, flipping, and monitoring.
This isn't a magic device that makes oil disappear while perfectly replicating deep-fried food. But it significantly reduces oil usage, often by 70-80%. It produces results that satisfy most cravings. Within its intended purpose, the Nuuk Brisk works well.
If you want healthier versions of fried favourites, this air fryer deserves serious consideration. If you need an efficient way to reheat food while maintaining crispiness, it's worth exploring. It won't revolutionise your kitchen. But it will make healthier eating more practical and enjoyable.
