Love a good takeaway but want a healthier, budget-friendly alternative? Fakeaways are the perfect way to enjoy your favourite restaurant-style meals at home—without the excess calories, unhealthy fats, or high price tag. Whether you’re craving a Chinese fakeaway, an Indian-inspired dish, or a homemade burger, creating your own fakeaway means you control exactly what goes into your food while still delivering on taste. Here’s why making fakeaways at home is a game-changer:

Fakeaways Are Lower in Calories

Traditional takeaways often come with oversized portions and hidden calories from excessive oils, sauces, and processed ingredients. When you make your own fakeaway, you can control portion sizes, reduce unnecessary fats and sugars, and swap in healthier alternatives—like using lean meats, whole grains, and fresh veggies. This means you can still enjoy your favourite meals while staying on track with your health goals.

Fakeaways Use Healthier Cooking Methods

One of the biggest benefits of making fakeaways at home is that you can cook them in a way that suits your lifestyle. Swap deep-frying for air frying to get crispy, golden textures with a fraction of the oil. Use a slow cooker to enhance flavours without adding extra fat. Opt for grilling, steaming, or baking instead of frying to keep things light and nutritious.

Fakeaways Save You Money

Ordering takeaways regularly can quickly add up. Making fakeaways at home is a much more cost-effective way to enjoy your favourite dishes. You can buy ingredients in bulk, meal prep for the week, and even freeze portions for later—giving you a convenient, healthier alternative without the high price tag.

You Can Customise Fakeaways to Fit Your Diet

One of the best things about fakeaways is their flexibility. Whether you’re following a calorie-controlled diet, reducing sugar intake, or looking for high-protein meals, you can tweak recipes to match your nutritional needs. Use low-fat dairy, swap white rice for cauliflower rice, or add extra veggies to boost fibre. The possibilities are endless, and you get to enjoy fakeaways that fit your lifestyle perfectly

Creating delicious, slimming-friendly fakeaways at home is easier than you think—especially when you have the right kitchen tools. Whether you’re making a crispy air fryer fakeaway, a rich and flavourful slow-cooked dish, or a homemade sauce that’s lighter than a takeaway version, these essential gadgets will help you achieve that restaurant-quality taste while keeping things healthy and hassle-free.

How the air fryer can help you create guilt free crispy fakeaways

An air fryer is an absolute game-changer when it comes to making fakeaways. It delivers that crispy, golden finish you love—whether it’s crunchy salt and chilli chicken, crispy chips, or healthier fried rice—without the need for deep frying. By using just a fraction of the oil, air fryers help cut down on excess fats and calories, making them perfect for anyone looking to enjoy their favourite takeaway-style meals the slimming-friendly way.

How the slow cooker can help create tender, flavour packed fakeaways 

If you love rich, slow-cooked curries, melt-in-your-mouth stews, or juicy pulled meats, a slow cooker is a must-have. It’s ideal for making low-calorie, high-protein fakeaways that taste just as good as the real thing (if not better). Cooking low and slow allows flavours to develop naturally, reducing the need for excess oils, creams, or artificial flavour enhancers often found in takeaways. Plus, it’s a fuss-free way to prepare batch-cooked meals for busy weeks.

Blender or Food Processor for homemade sauces and marinades

One of the easiest ways to keep fakeaways slimming-friendly is by making your own sauces, dips, and marinades from scratch. A blender or food processor lets you whip up healthier versions of takeaway favourites—like a creamy yet low-calorie curry sauce, fresh salsa for tacos, or a homemade satay sauce without added sugars and preservatives. Say goodbye to store-bought, high-calorie condiments and hello to homemade flavour-packed goodness.

Cook Fakeaways with Less Oil using a non-stick frying pan

A high-quality non-stick frying pan is a kitchen essential when it comes to making fakeaways without piling on unnecessary calories. Whether you’re searing lean meats, stir-frying veggies, or making a homemade egg-fried rice, a non-stick pan lets you cook with minimal oil while still getting that perfect texture. This simple switch can make a huge difference in keeping your fakeaway meals light yet satisfying.

Now, let’s get to the fun part – recreating your favourite takeaways in a healthier way! Whether you love Chinese, Indian, Italian, or classic fast food, there’s a slimming-friendly fakeaway for you.

Craving a chippy but want to keep it homemade and a little healthier? These chippy fakeaways recipes bring all the best fish and chip shop classics to your kitchen—without the extra grease or cost. From crispy fish to crispy chicken burgers, these easy, air fryer and slow cooker-friendly recipes mean you can enjoy your favourite takeaway flavours any night of the week.

How to Stay on Track with Your Fakeaway Meals

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated, especially when you plan ahead. One of the best ways to enjoy delicious, slimming-friendly fakeaways without the hassle is by prepping in advance. Whether you’re craving a homemade Chinese fakeaway, a spicy Indian-inspired dish, or a comforting slow-cooked meal, a little planning can save you time, money, and effort while keeping your meals nutritious. Here’s how to stay on track with your fakeaway meals and make healthy eating easier than ever.

Batch Cook Slow Cooker Fakeaway Curries and Freeze Portions

If you love rich, flavourful curries but don’t have time to cook from scratch every night, batch cooking is a game-changer. Slow cooker fakeaway curries are perfect for meal prepping because they develop deep flavours with minimal effort. Make a big batch of your favourite slow-cooked butter chicken, thai red chicken curry, or healthy mango chicken curry, then portion it out into freezer-friendly containers. When you need a quick midweek meal, just reheat and serve with a side of cauliflower rice or wholegrain naan for a slimming-friendly fakeaway feast.

Marinate Meats in Advance for Extra Flavour and Faster Cooking

One of the secrets to making fakeaways taste just as good (or even better) than your favourite takeaway is using marinades. Marinating chicken, beef, or tofu ahead of time infuses deep, authentic flavours into your dishes. Whether you’re preparing a fakeaway kebab, or a peri-peri chicken burger, letting your protein sit in a flavourful marinade for a few hours (or overnight) makes a huge difference. Plus, it means less prep when it’s time to cook—just grab and go.

Pre-Chop Veggies for Easy Fakeaway Stir-Fries and Sides

A common reason people opt for takeaways is convenience, but with a little prep work, fakeaways can be just as quick! Pre-chopping vegetables and storing them in airtight containers in the fridge makes it easier to throw together a healthy stir-fry or side dish in minutes. Slice up peppers, onions, mushrooms, and courgettes so they’re ready to go when you need them. This way, when you’re craving a fakeaway, you can have a fresh, homemade meal on the table in no time—without reaching for the takeaway menu.

Make Spice Blends in Bulk for Quick Fakeaway Seasoning

Takeaways often rely on bold, aromatic spices to create those irresistible flavours. To make your fakeaway experience easier and more authentic, mix up your own spice blends in advance. Whether it’s a classic Chinese five-spice mix, an Indian garam masala blend, or a smoky peri-peri seasoning, having pre-made spice mixes on hand saves time and makes meal prep effortless. Just sprinkle onto meats, veggies, or rice dishes to instantly transform them into a flavour-packed fakeaway.

With these healthy fakeaways, you can enjoy all the flavours of your favourite takeaways while keeping things light, nutritious, and slimming-friendly. Whether you’re following a weight loss plan or simply looking for healthier meal options, these homemade fakeaway recipes prove that you don’t have to miss out!

Give them a go and let me know which one is your favourite. Keep an eye on the blog for full recipes and more slimming-friendly meal inspiration 🙂