Choosing to cook at home instead of ordering your favourite takeaway is a hard decision. Takeaway is the most convenient option, but the long wait times and expensive delivery costs don’t always make it worth the spend.
Instead of ordering Pad Thai or fish and chips this weekend, why not give a fakeaway recipe a go? It’s more cost-effective, made from less processed ingredients, and often is quicker than waiting around for your delivery driver to show up.
What is a fakeaway recipe?
The fakeaway trend started on social media several years ago, when families were searching for lower-cost versions of their favourite takeaway meals. Fakeaway is a portmanteau of ‘fake’ and ‘takeaway’. It refers to a dinner that replicates a takeaway meal, but it can be made at home.
We’ve got 31 fakeaway recipes that are worth the time in the kitchen. From noodles and stir fries all the way to homemade pizza, it’s time to put away Uber Eats and get out your apron.
Laksa is the perfect dish for those battling a cold – it’ll warm you up from the inside out. This version requires less stress; instead of cooking up meat separately, simply boil some dumplings to get in your protein.
Nothing beats fried rice after a long day. Use up your leftover white rice, all the vegies you have and throw in some egg while you’re at it. Our advice? Make a double batch for lunch the next day.
Who doesn’t order a serving of beef and black bean stir fry when you go out for Chinese food? This is a classic as far as Australian-Chinese restaurants go. This is a 30-min dish, and can be made quicker than any delivery service.
Souvlaki is ideal when you feel like minimal mess with maximum flavour. These skewers are made easily and are perfect for throwing straight on the barbecue.
Satay is a top contender for a favourite takeaway meal. These skewers are simple to prepare, and nothing is more delicious than a thick, peanutty sauce with a fresh squeeze of lime on top.
Butter chicken is the ultimate comfort food. And, it’s so easy to make at home yourself. Marinating is the key, so make sure you leave extra time for it to soak up all those yummy flavours.
Loaded fries are a must for a pick-me-up dinner. These are loaded with the best parts of a cheeseburger, including briny slices of pickle!
Prawn, chicken and vegies with Hokkien noodles are a match made in heaven. Make this fakeaway when you can’t be bothered to try a more complicated dinner.
Singapore noodles are a classic in Aussie households. This dish is quick to whip up, and if you haven’t got a wok, no worries, you can make it in a fry pan! Turn up the heat, and get started.
Honey soy beef is a classic option at your local Chinese restaurant. If you want juicy, tender pieces of beef with a sticky sauce and green vegies, then this is the ideal recipe. Make with your favourite noodles or steamed rice for extra satisfaction.
Skip the pub feed, and make your own schnitzel from scratch – it’s much easier than you think. With a crunchy slaw on the side, you’ll love this crispy chicken dinner.
Gozleme is the perfect choice for those who want dinner that’s just a little bit more elevated than a toastie. Cook up your lamb mince and spinach before toasting it with delicious cheese.
Curry puffs are necessary when ordering Indian takeaway. Clarissa Feildel’s version is spicy, aromatic and good enough to eat on its own without anything else.
Chicken tikka with a side raita is just what the doctor ordered on a cold, winter’s night. Cook up this delish dinner for friends and family – it’s guaranteed you’ll have no leftovers!
Homemade pizza is the perfect date night activity. This summer version involves making your own dough and choosing a delicious combination of toppings.
A bowl of ramen is like a warm hug. Pair your noodles with a jammy boiled egg, spicy chilli sauce and an umami broth for the most delicious dinner.
Chicken wings are sometimes all you need to feel better after a long day at work. Instead of buying a box, make these honey-soy chicken wings yourself. They’re sticky, sweet and full of flavour!
Dumplings taste better when you have a sauce to go with them. And, when you barely have to do anything to cook them! This dump-and-bake tray is ideal for a lazy night in. Throw in all your ingredients and whack it in the oven!
Chicken Pad Thai is everyone’s favourite. For family dinner, or when friends come around, impress them with your own homemade version. We promise it’s just as good as anything you could buy.
Colin Fassnidge knows how to make a delicious traditional Bolognese, including a secret ingredient that’s commonly used in this dish in Italy. This dinner always tastes better when it’s made at home, with love!
Fried chicken and chips are like an elevated chicken nuggets dinner. This crispy, crunchy dish is perfect for a night in with a movie.
A burger at home is guaranteed to taste better than anything you would buy at a drive-thru. This recipe is Aussie through and through with beetroot and a special sauce.
Sweet and sour pork is always on the table at Yum Cha. Put it on your own table with a big bowl of steamed rice and watch all your guests delight in their dinner.
Ragu is one of those dishes that seems too hard to pull off at home, but it’s way simpler than you think! make your sofritto (celery, onion and carrot) and throw all the other ingredients in to be slow cooked!
‘Bowls’ have become a viral takeaway dish over the last couple of years. This chicken teriyaki version combines everyone’s favourite Japanese meat with fresh vegies, avocado and sesame seeds on top.
Tacos are great on Tuesday and every other day of the week. This pulled pork version is slow-cooked and wonderful. Make a big batch so you can have leftovers the next day.
Fried chicken, but done a little bit healthier than fast food. Turn your homemade fried chicken into delicious burgers with slaw, brioche bun and lots of mayo.
Banh Mi is a staple for Aussies at lunchtime. If you’re in the mood for chili and pate, but the Vietnamese bakeries are all closed, make an at home version.
Sushi is quick and easy to buy on the way home, but it’s just as quick to make at home. All you need is some brown rice, nori and tuna, and you’re sorted!
Nothing says Friday night in like a heaping plate of fish and chips. This recipe skips all the oil and instead bakes the fish and chips together on a single tray. Less mess, and more taste!
Poke bowls have secured themselves as a top takeaway dish in Australia. This crispy salmon bites poke bowl is filled with fresh flavours, including a mango salsa and subtle edamame beans.
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