Feast: 10 Takeaways to Make at Home This Friday

The Friday Night Ritual, Reimagined

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There’s something special about a Friday night.
Maybe it’s the feeling of finally closing your laptop, or the quiet satisfaction of stepping out of the week and into the weekend. And for so many of us, that feeling comes with a familiar ritual: choosing a takeaway, scrolling through menus, debating between pizza or curry, and waiting for the doorbell.

It’s comforting.
It’s easy.
It feels like a reward.

But somewhere between the delivery fees, the long waits, and the heavy fullness afterward, you start wondering: Is there a way to keep that Friday night magic… but make it feel a little better?

The truth is: yes.
You can have your favourite takeaways — the flavours, the indulgence, the cozy weekend energy — but made at home with fresher ingredients, lighter tweaks, and way more control over what actually goes on your plate.

That’s where the idea of a fakeaway comes in.
It’s everything you love about delivery… recreated in your own kitchen with less grease, less salt, more freshness, and a whole lot of satisfaction. It’s hands-on, customizable, playful — a cooking ritual that feels like part of your weekend wind-down rather than a chore.

In this guide, we’ll walk through 10 crowd-pleasing fakeaway meals you can make at home this Friday night. Each dish captures the spirit of a classic takeaway — from crispy katsu curry to loaded tacos to golden fish & chips — but with a healthier, more vibrant twist.

You’ll still get the comfort.
You’ll still get the flavour.
You just won’t get the next-day sluggishness.

Ready to turn your kitchen into your new favourite takeaway spot?

Easy Butter Chicken — Creamy Comfort, Made Lighter

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Butter chicken is the kind of dish that wraps you in warmth from the very first bite. Creamy, mildly spiced, and deeply comforting, it’s one of the most popular Friday night orders for a reason. But the restaurant or takeaway version can also be heavy, rich, and loaded with more butter and cream than your body might want at the end of a long week.

The homemade version?
It keeps everything you love — the velvety sauce, the gentle heat, the golden pieces of chicken — but swaps out the heaviness for balance and freshness.

Imagine tender chicken simmered in a silky tomato sauce infused with ginger, garlic, garam masala, and a little paprika for colour. Instead of heaps of butter and cream, you use just enough to give it that signature texture, then rely on Greek yogurt or coconut milk to bring lusciousness without the weight.

It’s the kind of dish that fills your kitchen with a slow-building aroma — warm spices drifting through the air, promising something indulgent but not overwhelming.

Serve it with fluffy rice or warm flatbreads, add a handful of fresh coriander, and you get that same takeaway-level satisfaction with far less richness and far more control.

The best part?
It comes together in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect “fakeaway” for nights when you want big flavour without a big effort.

Mozzarella Stuffed Crust Pizza — The Ultimate DIY Friday Treat

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Few things feel as “Friday night” as a stuffed crust pizza.
It’s playful. It’s indulgent. It hits every comfort note — melty cheese, soft dough, golden edges, and endless topping choices. But ordering one usually means heavy grease, too much salt, and a crust that tastes amazing in the moment but not so amazing afterward.

Learning to make your own?
That’s where the fun begins.

A homemade stuffed crust pizza lets you keep the drama — that iconic cheesy edge — while lightening up everything else. You get to choose a thinner, whole-wheat or half-and-half dough for more fibre, use just enough good-quality mozzarella in the crust, and load the top with whatever feels delicious and fresh.

Picture it:
You roll out the dough, place thin mozzarella sticks (or just sliced fresh mozzarella) along the edges, fold, pinch, and suddenly you’ve created the kind of crust everyone fights for.
Spread a vibrant tomato sauce made with crushed tomatoes, garlic, and a splash of olive oil.
Add your toppings — roasted vegetables, basil, chicken, mushrooms, olives, or even just simple margherita-style freshness.

Then there’s that moment when it comes out of the oven — bubbling, golden, aromatic — and you cut into it knowing you made a pizza that tastes indulgent but doesn’t leave you sluggish.

It’s the ultimate “fakeaway” because it gives you the takeaway joy and the fun of making it your own. Perfect for sharing, movie nights, or the kind of Friday when you want dinner to feel like an event.

Classic Fish & Chips — Crispy, Golden, and Surprisingly Light

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If there’s a single dish that defines a British Friday night, it’s fish & chips.
Crisp batter, soft flakes of fish inside, hot chips on the side — it’s the kind of meal that feels like comfort wrapped in paper. But the deep-fried version, as delicious as it is, often leaves you feeling more weighed down than satisfied.

The home version changes everything.
You get the crispy texture, the golden edges, the salt-and-vinegar moment… but without the oiliness.

Start with fresh white fish — cod, haddock, pollock — and coat it in a light batter or a crisp breadcrumb mixture that turns golden in the oven or air fryer. Think crunch without the heaviness.
Add a sprinkle of smoked paprika or lemon zest to the coating for a subtle lift.

Then the chips:
Skip the fryer and cut potatoes into chunky wedges, toss them with olive oil, salt, and maybe a little garlic or rosemary, then bake until irresistibly crisp on the outside and fluffy inside. Oven chips are not just “good enough” — they’re shockingly delicious when done well.

Serve it all with a bright squeeze of lemon, a simple homemade tartar sauce, or even mushy peas for the traditionalists.

You still get:

• the crunch
• the comfort
• the classic takeaway flavour

But you also get freshness, control, and a meal that doesn’t send you into a post-dinner slump. It’s fish & chips that feel like home — in the best, lightest way.

Turkish Kebabs with Flatbreads & Tomato Chilli Sauce — Big Flavor, Minimal Effort

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Turkish takeaway has a way of hitting every craving at once: smoky grilled meat, warm flatbreads, bright sauces, and fresh herbs. It feels hearty and satisfying, yet somehow lighter than most fried options. Recreating it at home gives you all that flavour — without the grease, the heaviness, or the mystery ingredients.

Homemade Turkish kebabs are shockingly simple.
Mix ground chicken, lamb, or beef with garlic, onion, cumin, paprika, and a bit of parsley. Shape the mixture around skewers or form simple patties if you don’t have them. A quick grill or pan-sear gives you that signature char, the kind that tastes like it came from a street vendor’s hot grill.

Then comes the real magic:
warm flatbreads and a fresh tomato chilli sauce.

Toss together chopped tomatoes, a pinch of chilli, garlic, lemon, and olive oil — and you get a sauce that’s bright, spicy, and miles better than anything squeezed from a takeaway bottle.
Serve everything family-style with shredded lettuce, red onion, yoghurt, pickles, or herbs. Let everyone build their own wrap or open-faced flatbread.

It’s interactive, flavour-packed, and oddly energizing — the kind of meal that brings people into the kitchen and turns Friday night into an experience rather than just delivery.

And the best part?
It tastes indulgent and takeaway-worthy, but it’s much fresher, lighter, and customizable down to the last sprinkle of chilli flakes.

Singapore Noodles with Prawns — A Fast, Fiery Fakeaway Classic

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Singapore noodles are one of those dishes that feel like instant excitement.
The bright yellow curry-tinted noodles, the quick toss of prawns and veggies in a hot pan, the fragrant steam that smells like a whole takeaway shop in one bowl — it’s the kind of meal that wakes you up after a long week.

The takeaway version is delicious, but often greasy and overly salty.
The homemade version?
Still bright. Still aromatic. Still addictive.
Just fresher, lighter, and ready in less time than delivery would take.

Start with thin rice noodles — the kind that soften in minutes. While they hydrate, heat a wok or large pan until it’s properly hot. Add a touch of oil along with garlic, ginger, and curry powder. That one moment — when the spices hit the heat — is what gives Singapore noodles their signature aroma.

Then add prawns (or tofu or chicken), quick-cook vegetables like peppers, peas, carrots, or bean sprouts, and toss everything until vibrant and glossy. A splash of soy sauce, maybe a little chilli, a squeeze of lime… and the whole dish comes together in under 15 minutes.

What you get is:

• the colour
• the heat
• the softness of noodles
• the crunch of vegetables
• the comfort of a well-loved takeaway

But you stay in charge of the salt, the oil, the spice level — and the ingredients actually taste like themselves.

It’s the perfect Friday night fakeaway for when you want something bold and bright without the heaviness.

Chicken Katsu Curry — Crispy Comfort with a Cleaner Feel

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Chicken katsu curry is the kind of dish that feels like a warm, comforting hug. Crispy coated chicken, velvety curry sauce, fluffy rice — it’s pure, uncomplicated satisfaction. No wonder it’s a Friday night favourite. But takeaway versions can be heavy, oily, and bigger on breadcrumbs than actual flavour.

A homemade katsu curry gives you everything you crave — the crunch, the creaminess, the deep comfort — but with lighter choices that don’t weigh you down.

Start with the chicken:
Coat thin chicken cutlets in flour → dip in beaten egg → press into panko breadcrumbs.
Instead of deep-frying, bake or air-fry them until golden and super crisp. Panko crumbs stay crunchy even without oil, so you get that signature bite without the grease.

Then comes the curry sauce — the heart of the dish.
A simple mix of sautéed onion, garlic, ginger, mild curry powder, turmeric, carrots, and a bit of stock creates a sauce that’s sweet, fragrant, and comforting. Blend it smooth, add a splash of coconut milk or milk of your choice, and suddenly you have that iconic silky texture with a gentle sweetness.

Serve it over steamed rice with fresh cucumber or a crunchy salad on the side, and your whole kitchen feels like a healthier version of your favourite Japanese café.

It’s crispy. It’s cozy. It’s deeply soothing.
And it proves you don’t need a deep fryer to bring big takeaway energy to a Friday night.

Swedish Meatballs — Cozy Comfort with Scandinavian Charm

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Swedish meatballs have a way of making any evening feel softer.
They’re warm, gently spiced, creamy without being heavy — the kind of dish that feels like slipping into a blanket after a long week. No wonder they’re a beloved takeaway and IKEA-classic treat: they’re simple, satisfying, and impossible not to love.

Making them at home turns that comfort into something even better.

Start by mixing ground beef (or a blend of beef and turkey for a lighter touch) with breadcrumbs, grated onion, a little garlic, allspice, and black pepper. Those spices — subtle, not overwhelming — give Swedish meatballs their signature coziness. Roll them into small, bite-sized balls and pan-sear or oven-bake until golden.

Then comes the sauce, which is where the magic really happens.
A pan gravy made with a touch of butter, flour, stock, and a swirl of cream or yogurt creates that silky, savory blanket the meatballs sit in. It’s rich but not overly indulgent — the kind of sauce that begs to be spooned over mashed potatoes or spooned straight from the pan (no judgment).

Serve everything with fluffy mashed potatoes, steamed greens, or even a simple cucumber salad. Add a spoonful of lingonberry jam if you’re feeling traditional — the tart sweetness cuts through the creaminess beautifully.

The homemade version gives you:

• softer, juicier meatballs
• a lighter but still luxurious sauce
• fresh, balanced sides
• and a dinner that feels like a warm Scandinavian hug

It’s a fakeaway that brings comfort, nostalgia, and just the right amount of indulgence — without the post-takeaway slump.

Mexican-Style Build-Your-Own Tacos/Burritos — Fun, Fresh & Full of Flavor

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Some fakeaways feel cozy.
Some feel indulgent.
And some feel like a party — even if it’s just you at the table.
Mexican-style tacos and burritos fall firmly into that last category.

They’re colourful, vibrant, hands-on, and endlessly adaptable. And the best part? Making them at home lets you recreate all the flavour and excitement without the heavy salt, excess oil, or mystery fillings that come with many takeaways.

A build-your-own spread turns dinner into an experience:
a little chopping, a few bowls, and suddenly your kitchen looks like a mini taquería.

Start with a protein base — grilled chicken, spiced black beans, sautéed prawns, crumbled turkey, or even roasted cauliflower for a veggie option. Season with simple spices like cumin, smoked paprika, garlic, and chilli (or a ready-made taco seasoning if you want something faster). A quick 10 minutes in a hot pan is all it takes.

Then lay out the fresh toppings that bring tacos to life:

• shredded lettuce
• chopped tomatoes
• sliced avocado or homemade guacamole
• fresh coriander
• red onion
• lime wedges
• salsa or pico de gallo

Add warm tortillas — corn for a traditional vibe, flour for burritos — plus maybe rice or beans for stuffing.

Suddenly, every person at the table becomes their own chef.
They choose their balance of crispy, creamy, tangy, spicy, light, or loaded.
And because everything is fresh, homemade, and portion-controlled, it feels far lighter than a takeaway — but every bit as satisfying.

This is the kind of Friday-night fakeaway that brings the weekend energy, the fun of customizing your meal, and the big flavours you crave — without the delivery bag or the next-day heaviness.

Veggie or Vegan Fakeaway Option — Plant-Based Comfort With Zero Compromise

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A good fakeaway doesn’t need meat to feel indulgent.
In fact, some of the most flavour-packed, comforting dishes come straight from the plant-based world — full of colour, aroma, texture, and warmth. And when you make them at home, you get all the comfort of a Friday-night treat with the added bonus of feeling genuinely good afterward.

One of the best veggie fakeaways to recreate?
A rich, aromatic coconut vegetable curry — creamy, cozy, and so comforting you won’t miss the takeaway menu for a second.

Imagine tender chunks of sweet potato, cauliflower florets, bell peppers, and chickpeas simmered in a gently spiced coconut sauce scented with ginger, garlic, turmeric, and curry paste. The vegetables soak up the sauce, becoming soft and full of flavour while the kitchen fills with the warm, sweet fragrance of coconut and spices.

Serve it with fluffy rice, warm flatbreads, or even roasted potatoes for a fun twist.
Top with fresh coriander, lime juice, or a spoonful of dairy-free yogurt for brightness.

This dish works because it gives you everything you want from a fakeaway:

• creaminess
• warmth
• deep layers of flavour
• comforting textures
• a sense of abundance

But without the heaviness or the additives of many delivery curries.

Of course, the plant-based fakeaway world is huge — tofu stir-fries, veggie katsu, crispy baked falafel, lentil sloppy joes, loaded veggie nachos… but this coconut curry stands out as that perfect combination of nourishing and indulgent. The kind of dish that hugs you back.

It’s proof that a vegan fakeaway can be just as cozy, exciting, and satisfying as any meat-based option — sometimes even more so.

Middle Eastern Mezze Platter — A Flavor-Packed Sharing Feast

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If takeaway nights are about abundance — lots of flavours, little bites, and everyone picking at their favourites — then a Middle Eastern mezze platter might be the ultimate fakeaway. It brings together textures, colours, dips, warm bread, fresh vegetables, fragrant spices… and it turns dinner into an experience rather than just a meal.

The magic of mezze is in its variety.
It’s a table full of small dishes, each offering something different: creamy, crunchy, smoky, bright, tangy, warm. And assembling it at home is far simpler than it looks.

Start with the classics:
Hummus — silky and nutty, made with chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic.
Falafel — crisp on the outside, tender inside, baked or air-fried for a lighter twist.
Flatbreads or warm pita — soft, fluffy, and perfect for scooping.
Tabbouleh or a simple herb salad — fresh parsley, mint, lemon juice, and bulgur or quinoa.

Then add your supporting stars:

• marinated olives
• roasted vegetables (aubergine, peppers, courgette)
• baba ganoush if you want something smoky
• yoghurt with za’atar
• pickles or turnips for brightness

Put everything into small bowls, arrange them on a board or large plate, warm the bread, and suddenly your kitchen feels like a restaurant table at golden hour.

What makes this a perfect Friday-night fakeaway?

• It’s social and fun — great for sharing.
• It’s healthier and fresher than most takeout.
• The flavours are bold, vibrant, and deeply comforting.
• You can customize everything based on what you love.

Every bite tastes different, every bowl brings a new texture, and you finish feeling satisfied, not stuffed.

A mezze platter is the kind of meal that gives you everything you want from a takeaway — comfort, flavour, abundance — but with more freshness, more colour, and more joy.

Conclusion — Your New Friday Night Tradition

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The beauty of a Friday-night fakeaway isn’t just in the food — though the food is undeniably good.
It’s in the ritual.
The slowing down after a long week.
The choosing of flavours you genuinely crave.
The small joy of making something comforting with your own hands.

What these homemade takeaways offer is a shift — from passive ordering to active enjoyment. Instead of waiting for a delivery bag to arrive, you get to build your own experience: the aroma of spices warming in the pan, the first pull of melted cheese, the crisp bite of oven-fresh chips, the colours of a vibrant mezze, the brightness of fresh herbs and vegetables on your plate.

You get all the flavour.
All the comfort.
All the Friday feeling.

But you also get:

• fresher ingredients
• lighter versions that leave you energized, not sluggish
• meals tailored to your taste
• and the satisfaction of cooking something that feels special

Whether it’s a cozy katsu, a bubbling stuffed crust pizza, a bold Singapore noodle stir-fry, or a shared mezze platter, these fakeaways make your home feel like your favourite restaurant — without the delivery fees and without the next-day regret.

So maybe this Friday, instead of tapping the “order now” button, you’ll reach for a pan, warm up your oven, or pull out a chopping board.
Turn the music on.
Pour a drink.
Make it a moment.

Your new Friday night tradition doesn’t live in a takeaway app — it lives right in your kitchen.