Homemade fakeaways aren’t just about cutting calories; they’re also about knowing exactly what’s going into your food. When you cook at home, you can:

Cut Calories Without Sacrificing Taste

Takeaway meals can be loaded with hidden calories from excessive oils, creamy sauces, and oversized portions. By making a fakeaway at home, you control the ingredients, use healthier cooking methods like air frying, and keep portion sizes in check—so you can enjoy guilt-free indulgence.

Use Fresh, Quality Ingredients

Unlike many takeaways that rely on processed ingredients, homemade fakeaways allow you to cook with fresh, whole foods. That means no hidden preservatives, artificial flavourings, or unhealthy additives—just real, flavour-packed meals.

Save Money While Eating Well

Ordering takeout regularly can quickly add up, but making your own fakeaway is much more cost-effective. A few simple ingredients can create multiple meals for a fraction of the price, saving you money while still delivering on taste.

Tailor Your Fakeaway to Your Diet

One of the best things about a homemade fakeaway is that you can customise it to fit your dietary needs. Want a high-protein version? Add extra lean meats or plant-based protein. Cutting back on salt? Use herbs and spices instead. Whether you’re counting calories, reducing carbs, or increasing fibre, a fakeaway puts you in control.

With so many benefits, there’s no reason not to ditch the takeaway and try making a fakeaway at home. It’s healthier, cheaper, and just as satisfying—if not more!

Creating a fakeaway at home is easier than ever, thanks to two game-changing kitchen gadgets: the slow cooker and the air fryer. These appliances make it simple to whip up delicious, healthier versions of your favourite takeaway dishes—without the excess oil, calories, or expense.

Slow Cooker Fakeaways

If you love rich, slow-cooked curries, tender Chinese-style dishes, or fall-apart meats, the slow cooker is your best friend. Just add your ingredients, set the timer, and let it do all the hard work. It’s perfect for:

• One-pot meals: Minimal prep, minimal washing up (happy days in my opinion)
• Healthier sauces:  No need for added sugars or thickening agents found in takeaway gravies.
• Budget-friendly cooking: Slow cooking works wonders on cheaper cuts of meat, making fakeaways even more affordable.

Air Fryer Fakeaways

Want to enjoy crispy chips, crunchy chicken, or golden-brown battered favourites without deep frying? The air fryer delivers all the crunch and flavour you crave—using little to no oil. It’s ideal for:

• Crispy, healthier chips: Get that takeaway-style crunch with just a fraction of the oil.
• Fakeaway fried chicken: Enjoy crispy chicken strips, salt and chilli chicken, or even a homemade zinger burger.
• Speed and convenience – No waiting for the oven to heat up; air fryers cook food fast, making fakeaways quicker than delivery!

By using these two kitchen gadgets, you can enjoy all your favourite takeaway flavours without the unhealthy extras. Whether you’re craving a Chinese fakeaway, an Indian feast, or a classic chippy tea, the slow cooker and air fryer make it easy to create healthier, homemade versions that taste just as good (if not better!)

Let’s dive into some of the best fakeaway meals you can recreate at home using simple ingredients, packed with flavour but without the guilt.

Healthy Chinese Fakeaways

Chinese takeaways are a firm favourite, but they can often be deep-fried and high in sugar. Try these lighter alternatives:

Salt and Chilli Chicken 

Slow Cooker Honey Chilli Chicken Noodles 

Air Fryer Prawn Toast 

Air Fryer Chicken Fried Rice

Fakeaway Indian Dishes

Indian takeaways are rich, comforting, and full of bold spices. Making them at home means you can enjoy all the flavour while keeping it healthier.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken 

Slow Cooker Mango Chicken Curry

Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Skewers

Air Fryer Chicken Tikka Kebabs 

2 Ingredient Flatbreads

Low Calorie Italian Favourites

Who doesn’t love an Italian meal? Here are some healthier versions of your go-to pizza and pasta dishes.

Air Fryer Cheesy Garlic Pizza Wrap

Burrata with Airfried Bread

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese

Air Fryer Gnocchi Carbonara

Healthier Chippy Night

A Friday night fish and chips can be made much lighter at home while still being just as satisfying.

Air Fryer Fish & Chips 

Air Fryer Chips (with plenty of salt and vinegar)

Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Burgers 

Air Fryer Spice Bag

Fakeaway Fast Food

Burgers, fried chicken, and kebabs don’t have to be off-limits when made with the right ingredients and techniques.

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Doner Kebab

Air Fryer Raising Canes

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken

Slowcooker Doner Kebab 

Craving a takeaway but want a healthier option? A fakeaway is the perfect solution! By making your favourite dishes at home, you can enjoy all the flavour while controlling the ingredients. Here are some easy ways to keep your fakeaway meals nutritious without sacrificing taste:

Choose Lean Protein

When making a fakeaway, opt for lean cuts of meat like chicken breast, turkey, or extra-lean beef mince instead of fatty meats. These options provide plenty of protein while keeping the meal lower in saturated fats. If you’re vegetarian, tofu, tempeh, or even chickpeas can be great high-protein substitutes.

Reduce Oil Usage

Takeaways are often deep-fried, adding unnecessary calories and unhealthy fats. The air fryer is a game-changer for fakeaway recipes, giving you crispy, golden results with little to no oil. Spraying food lightly with olive oil or using a teaspoon of healthier oils like avocado or rapeseed oil can further reduce fat content while enhancing flavour.

Add More Veggies

A homemade fakeaway is the perfect opportunity to sneak in extra vegetables. Whether you’re making stir-fries, curries, or wraps, adding peppers, onions, broccoli, carrots, and spinach boosts fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Plus, veggies add volume to meals, making them more filling without extra calories.

Use Natural Sweeteners

Many takeaway dishes are loaded with refined sugar, especially in sauces and marinades. Instead of using white sugar, try natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or mashed fruit (like banana or applesauce) to add a hint of sweetness. This swap keeps your fakeaway delicious while being kinder to your health.

Make Your Own Sauces

Store-bought sauces often contain added sugars, preservatives, and artificial flavourings. Making your own sauce is surprisingly easy and lets you control exactly what goes in. For example, swap sugary sweet chilli sauce for a homemade version using fresh chilli, lime juice, and a dash of honey. Or replace processed curry sauces with a simple blend of spices, coconut milk, and tomatoes for a fresh, flavour-packed alternative.

Control Portion Sizes

One of the biggest challenges with takeaways is oversized portions, which can lead to overeating. By making your own fakeaway, you control the serving sizes and ingredients, making it easier to stick to balanced meals. Try using smaller plates, measuring out rice and pasta portions, and loading up on protein and veggies to stay satisfied.

By making these simple swaps, you can enjoy all the taste and comfort of your favourite takeout meals without the guilt. Whether you’re craving salt and chilli chicken, a juicy burger, or a spicy curry, a fakeaway lets you enjoy the best of both worlds—big flavour with healthier ingredients!

Healthy fakeaways mean you don’t have to give up your favourite dishes—you just make them smarter! With the help of the slow cooker and air fryer, you can enjoy crispy, saucy, and flavour-packed meals without worrying about excessive calories or unhealthy ingredients. Plus, they’re easy, budget-friendly, and perfect for the whole family.

So why not give it a go? Let me know which fakeaway you’re trying first! Keep an eye on the blog for full recipes and more ideas to make healthy eating effortless and delicious.