Hussain is a columnist for The Times Magazine and has signed publishing deals with Penguin Random House,[11] Hodder Children's Books[12] and Harlequin.
[25] She revealed her mental health difficulties in a Sport Relief film[26] and tackled childhood anxiety in her book My Monster and Me.
Hussain appeared in and won the sixth series (Season 3 on PBS, or Collection 3 on Netflix in the US) of The Great British Bake Off which aired from 5 August to 7 October 2015.
[30] Her appearance on the show and ensuing popularity with audiences were deemed important steps toward shifting stereotypes about the Muslim community and acceptance about cultural diversity.
[35] In August 2016, Hussain was presenter of a two-part food travelogue, The Chronicles of Nadiya, on BBC One, in which she travelled to Bangladesh to trace her culinary roots.
She cooked for the crew of one of the country's famous paddle steamers, and visited a riverside village where they still practise the ancient art of otter fishing.
[40] Hussain replaced Mary Berry on the competition show in which 40 children aged between nine and twelve compete to create the best cakes and treats.
The show was her first new programme after signing a deal to make the BBC her 'home', rebuffing speculation she would join Channel 4's version of Bake Off.
[6] Hussain travelled across the country, visiting food producers, and then returned to her kitchen to cook using ingredients found on her journeys.
[43][44][8] A tie-in cookery book, published by Michael Joseph, features new recipes that use British ingredients cooked in a Bangladeshi style, such as Masala eggy bread, Yorkshire pudding with chia seeds and aubergine pakoras with ketchup.
"[57] On 13 August 2016, Hussain appeared as guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs,[58] and was interviewed by Kirsty Young.
She opened up about her struggles as a young mother, the social isolation suffered by some Muslim women and how her confidence grew during Bake-Off.
She described the racial abuse she still receives on the street and, determined to be a good role model to her children, how she responds with the "dignity of silence".
[69] Hussain was signed by UK publisher Michael Joseph, part of Penguin Random House,[11] for her debut book Nadiya's Kitchen, which is a collection of the recipes which she cooks for friends and family.
[45] Hussain has written a children's book of stories and recipes, Bake Me A Story, published by Hodder Children's Books,[12] which blends updated versions of fairytales (poor "Sleepless Beauty" just needs a nice cup of cardamom-infused hot chocolate to break her curse; resourceful Jack wins the giant over with yummy bean patties) with colourful illustrations and child-friendly recipes.
[72] Hussain released her first novel, The Secret Lives of the Amir Sisters, in January 2017 with help from author Ayisha Malik and was billed as a British Muslim take on Little Women.
The collection features designs across a full tableware range, as well as spice racks, candles, aprons, oven gloves and tea towels.
[27][87][86] She has spoken about her earlier struggles of being in an arranged marriage, saying "It's tough – you are pretty much marrying a complete stranger... We had to live through the good and the bad, and have come out the other side.
[93] She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to broadcasting and the culinary arts.