In this study, we used two unique approaches, namely the Yang transform decomposition method (YTDM) and the homotopy perturbation transform method (HPTM), to derive approximate analytical solutions for nonlinear time-fractional Zakharov–Kuznetsov equations (ZKEs). This framework demonstrated the behavior of weakly nonlinear ion-acoustic waves in plasma containing cold ions and hot isothermal electrons in the presence of a uniform magnetic flux. The density fraction and obliqueness of two compressive and rarefactive potentials are depicted. In the Liouville–Caputo sense, the fractional derivative is described. In these procedures, we first used the Yang transform to simplify the problems and then applied the decomposition and perturbation methods to obtain comprehensive results for the problems. The results of these methods also made clear the connections between the precise solutions to the issues under study. Illustrations of the reliability of the proposed techniques are provided. The results are clarified through graphs and tables. The reliability of the proposed procedures is demonstrated by illustrative examples. The proposed approaches are attractive, though these easy approaches may be time-consuming for solving diverse nonlinear fractional-order partial differential equations.