<p>Zinc–air batteries are renowned for their high specific energy density and cost-effectiveness, offering a promising solution to environmental pollution and the depletion of fossil fuels. However, the performance of these batteries is often compromised by the formation of zinc dendrites during the anode dissolution process, which leads to reduced capacity and diminished cycling stability. To address these issues, this study introduces a novel Zn–Bi–Sn alloy anode, fabricated using a melting technique, designed to enhance both the discharge capacity retention and the cycling stability of zinc–air batteries. The experimental results reveal that during the discharge process, the surface of the fabricated anode evolves into a three-dimensional skeleton structure. This transformation promotes the unobstructed release of zinc and significantly improves the discharge capacity retention and cycling stability of the batteries. The optimized Zn–Bi3–Sn2 alloy anode demonstrates superior performance, achieving a lower potential difference of 0.9&#xa0;V, a higher specific capacity density of 756&#xa0;mAh&#xa0;g⁻¹, and an extended cycle life of over 1100 cycles after 550&#xa0;h of operation at a current density of 5&#xa0;mA&#xa0;cm⁻², compared to pure zinc anodes. This study proposes a straightforward and cost-effective method for stabilizing zinc anodes, demonstrating significant potential for the development of high-performance, zinc-based rechargeable batteries.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>