Meat Stuffed Pitas (Palestinian Arayes)

4.97 from 28 Ratings
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Palestinian Arayes is a meat-stuffed pita bread, a part of the Palestinian traditional cuisine specifically street food. Indulge in the savory delights of these mouthwatering pockets of flavor combining ground meat, aromatic spices, and fresh herbs, all encased in warm, toasted pita bread.


Palestinian Arayes Recipe
Ground beef arayes is the ultimate mouth-watering meal.


What Are Arayes?

Beef arayes is a very popular Palestinian street food. They are traditionally sandwiches of pita bread stuffed with an aromatic mixture of either ground beef or lamb. The juices that seep from the meat while cooking marinate the pita with savory flavors and turn its soft exterior into a crunchy one.


What Is the Difference Between Arayes and Hawawshi?

These delicious meat pitas are also popular in Egypt. Arayes in Egypt are known as hawawshi. Both Palestinian arayes and hawawshi have the same concept and flavors but the difference lies in the type of bread used.

To make Egyptian hawawshi, people bake their own Egyptian flatbread known as Baladi. Then, they stuff the mixture in to cook along with the bread. On the other hand, Palestinians use ready pita bread or any other flatbread.


Authentic Arayes Meat Stuffed Pita
Each bite is loaded with flavors.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Easy and quick: This recipe takes under 30 minutes to be ready and its ingredients are basic and available in every household.

Crispy pockets: For instance, some people prefer frying their beef stuffed pita pockets in the air fryer, others prefer it cooked in the oven for it to get extra crispy.

If you’re in a rush, just pan-fry them until they turn golden brown. Let’s not forget the kids, this recipe is perfect for them! Most kids enjoy dipping their stuffed pita sandwiches in yogurt or ketchup.


These delectable ground beef stuffed pitas are packed with flavors that will satisfy everyone’s hunger. The best part is that they are so easy to prepare in less than 30 minutes from start to finish.


Ingredients You Will Need

  • Ground beef: Finely minced meat commonly used in Palestinian arayes recipe, providing the main protein component.
  • Yellow onion: It adds a sweet and savory flavor to your Mediterranean stuffed pitas when mixed with ground beef.
  • Garlic cloves: They enhance the overall taste and aroma of the arayes with their distinct flavor.
  • Roma tomatoes: They provide a juicy and tangy element to the arayes filling.
  • Bell pepper: It adds a mild and slightly sweet taste when mixed with the ground beef.
  • Spices: You will need jalapeno, Aleppo pepper, 7 spices, black pepper, and salt.
  • Olive oil: It is used for brushing onto the pitas before grilling, providing moisture and a characteristic Mediterranean taste.

Note: if you are not a fan of spicy food, then don’t add jalapeno to your beef mixture.


Authentic Arayes Meat Stuffed Pita
Smothered in olive oil for extra crunchiness.

How to Make Arayes?

Let’s do this!

First of all, add the vegetables to a food processor and process until chunky. Or you can finely chop the vegetables by hand.

Second, add the mixture to the beef along with the spices and mix.

Then, fill into your pita, to your desired thickness.

Next, brush a small amount of olive oil on each side of the pita.

Finally, you can grill or bake at 425℉ until the beef is all the way cooked through and the bread turns crispy (about 8-10 minutes per side depending on your oven). Or air fry them at 400℉ for 15 minutes, depending on your air fryer. You can start at 375℉, and cook it for about 15 minutes, flip it halfway.


Stuffed Arayes Variations

There are plenty of meat options suitable for this particular recipe. You can include lamb, beef, veal, turkey, chicken, or even a combination of different types of meat.

Vegans can also fill their pita bread with meat alternatives or vegetables of their choice.

Low Carb Arayes is a healthy variation of this delicious recipe.


What to Serve with Arayes Pockets?

First of all, this simple grilled arayes sandwich is usually served as a main dish or as a hot appetizer. So, if you’re looking for a delicious and filling meal, this recipe has got your back!

Initially, Middle Eastern arayes are served with yogurt on the side. Yogurt is so refreshing and it balances out the different flavors of the minced meat and the savory seasoning. Here is a trick, instead of having the yogurt with a spoon, you have to try dipping the arayes in the yogurt. Believe me, this method is definitely a game changer.

Besides, some people prefer having their Middle Eastern stuffed pitas with a side of green salad, FattoushTabbouli Salad Recipe (Tabbouleh), or any other fresh seasonal salad.

You can also choose to serve these savory beef pockets with various dips like Garlic Sauce – Middle Eastern Toum, creamy Hummus, tangy tahini sauce, or Ketchup.


Crispy Baked Arayes, Middle Eastern Meat pita
A crispy meal enjoyed by everyone.

Top Tips for the Best Arayes Recipe

  • Don’t skip the part where you drizzle olive oil on the pita pieces before cooking.
  • For the most flavorful arayes, use a combination of ground beef and lamb. The mix of these two meats adds depth and richness to the filling.
  • Try using extra lean ground beef to avoid soggy greasy arayes. We love them extra crispy, don’t we?!
  • When choosing pita bread, try thicker ones, for they can absorb the fat and juices that the filling produces.
  • Don’t overcook them, wait for them to turn golden brown and crispy on the outside, then immediately take them out of the oven.
  • Ensure an even distribution of the meat mixture inside the pita bread. This ensures consistent flavor and texture in each bite.
  • When pan-frying, use medium heat to ensure the arayes cook through without burning the exterior.
  • If you are air frying them, it is better to wrap each piece in foil, then after some time uncover and let them brown. This will help you make sure that the meat is cooked evenly.

Must-Try Middle Eastern Recipes:

Palestinian Cauliflower Fritters (Emshat)

Dawood Basha (Kufta and Potato Stew)

Middle-Eastern Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Juicy Chicken Kofta Kebabs


Storage Tips


Authentic Arayes Meat Stuffed Pita
Devoured within seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If 7 spices blend is not available, what can I use instead?

Don’t worry, you can make your own spice blend by mixing equal parts allspice, black pepper, cinnamon, ground cloves, cumin, ground coriander, and lastly white pepper.

Are Arayes and Sfeeha (meat pies) the same?

This is not like Sfeeha, they don’t require parsley and a load of spices. Check out my delicious Sfeeha Yafawiyeh (Spiral Meat Pies) recipe.

Are Arayes a main dish or an appetizer?

Arayes can be served as both a main dish and an appetizer. As a main dish, they are typically accompanied by sides and salads. As an appetizer, they are perfect for sharing.


If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on FacebookInstagram, and YouTube.



Authentic Arayes Meat Stuffed Pita

Meat Stuffed Pitas (Palestinian Arayes)

Fatimah Alghweir
Arayes are an authentic Palestinian street food. They are made up of pita bread filled with perfectly seasoned ground beef and grilled to crispy perfection. It is a quick and easy recipe that is enjoyed with tahini dipping, yogurt or a salad on the side.
4.97 from 28 Ratings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Middle Eastern, Palestinian
Servings 12 half pitas
Calories 278 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 small yellow onion
  • 1 pound 80-20 ground beef
  • 1 pound 90-10 ground beef
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2 large roma tomatoes
  • ¾ bell pepper
  • jalapeno (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons aleppo pepper
  • 2 teaspoons 7 spice
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing.
  • 6 full pita breads cut in half, and opened to make pockets.

Instructions
 

  • Add the vegetables to a food processor and process until chunky.
  • Add to the beef along with the spices and mix well.
  • Fill into your pita, to your desired thickness. Do not make them too thick or they won't cook fully and evenly.
  • Brush a small amount of olive oil (about 1 teaspoon) on each side of the pita.
  • Bake at 400℉ until the beef is all the way cooked through and the bread is crispy. (about 8-10 minutes per side depending on your oven). Flip half way through cooking. I recommend broiling for a minute or two to crisp up more, but keep a careful watch on them so they don't burn. Or you can air fry on 400℉ for 12-16 minutes flipping halfway.
  • *you can bake them on a wired rack if you're afraid of them getting soggy, and you dont want to bake them extra or broil them.

Notes

  • If you don’t have a food processor, you can finely chop the vegetables by hand.
  • For half a pita, make sure to use about 1/4 cup meat so it cooks evenly.
  • Don’t skip the olive drizzeling part before cooking your stuffed pitas.
  • You can use your leftover pitas.
  • You can have them as a main dish or a hot appetizer.
  • You can bake them on a wired rack if you’re afraid of them getting soggy, and you dont want to bake them extra or broil them.

Nutrition

Calories: 278kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 17gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 891mgPotassium: 314mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 517IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 2mg
Keyword arayes, Meat stuffed pita bread
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

33 Responses

  1. 5 stars
    I made these and they were delicious! I just put them on the stove top in a pan to cook them instead of the oven . Thank you for this amazing recipe 😋

  2. 5 stars
    These were delicious! I just put them on the stove top in a pan to cook them instead of the oven . Thank you for this amazing recipe 😋

  3. 5 stars
    Thank you for this amazing recipe. I tried it and were so delicious. My kids loved it and they want me to make it again 😊

  4. 5 stars
    I made these with beyond ground meat and they were so flavorful!!! I love her use of a food processor to make everything come together so much easier. And using an air fryer made clean up easy too! I used pink Himalayan salt and 1 tbsp may have been a bit too much for my taste, but the flavor was so so good. Try this easy recipe!

  5. 5 stars
    My family loves these! I have made them many times. On the stove top, oven and outside on the grill. I have mixed the meat and spices the day before and let it marry in the frig and other times made immediately. It is so accommodating. Also can use full fat or lean meat also. It is a wonderful item and so happy to have yet a wonderful recipe from falasteenifoodie. 😃

  6. 5 stars
    We didn’t have Aleppo and I don’t like bell peppers so I replaced that with half an Anaheim pepper and I still think the recipe came out great so there is wiggle room for some personal tastebud adjustments. Overall my husband and I really enjoyed them, will make again in the near future.

  7. 5 stars
    I made this for the second time using this recipe. First time I made them in the oven and second I made them in the air fryer. They turned out amazing and my husband loved them! I also made cucumber salad on the side and it was the perfect pairing with this dish! I’ll definitely be making it again

  8. 5 stars
    We decided to have these since you said you were making them along with the lentil soup (we had both today!) and it was delicious. A perfect combination

  9. 5 stars
    I made my own pita with the quick dough recipe then filled it with this arayes filling. You are absolutely amazing fatimah thank you for all the wonderful recipes

  10. 5 stars
    You know girl I was saving this for my cheat meal, and boy oh boy, it hit the spot!! I shared the Arayes with my friends over a girls night dinner. Everyone LOVED them!
    You’re recipes are authentic and delicious and as a Palestinian, they just hit home.

    Can’t wait for next cheat meal 🤤

  11. 5 stars
    These were delicious, my husband said they were “authentic Egyptian hawawshi” thanks for great recipe ♥️

  12. 5 stars
    Tried this a few days back. I grew up in the UAE, currently residing in India. I’ve missed having Arayes for so long. Making this took me down the memory lane, back to a small shop in Fujairah, UAE, where they had Arayes that tasted just like this one. Thank you for this recipe❤️❤️

  13. 5 stars
    Posted on my birthday, this recipe made me feel like I was eating a freshly made hawawshi in the city centre of Cairo. Thanks to your blog, I not only get to eat all of these amazing Middle Eastern flavours and meals thousands of kilometers away from their origin, I also get to replicate if and share it with my friends and family. Each and every single one of your recipes is spot on, it blows my mind.

  14. 5 stars
    Ever since I made it the first time last year, it has become our family staple. I made it every few weeks. Kiddos and hubbybi can’t get enough of it! Definitely a 10/10!! My husband requested cheese and spicy, so I added shredded Cheddar and chili powder. Turned our soooo good! 🤤 He even tell our guests, it’s Egyptian hawawshi! (If he only knew it’s Palestinian’s 😆)
    You’re amazing Chez Fatima! This recipe will surely stay in our family for generations. Thank you for creating all these yummylicious recipes. May Allah bless you, always ❤️

  15. 5 stars
    A super easy and delicious recipe. Everyone needs to try it! We loved it and so did our little boy. It’s something I will be making again and again. Thank you for sharing the recipe x

  16. 5 stars
    I made this with the 10 minute dough big batch. Think i had arounf 20 pitas, we are 3 adults and everything was gone by the end of the evening 😀

  17. 5 stars
    I’ve already made these twice since I saw the recipe on your Instagram last week. Super quick and easy and just as good as the ones I grew up eating in Dubai. My dad has already asked me to make them again. Thank you for such a great recipe!

  18. 4 stars
    These were delicious!!! My only issue is they never got crispy. The grease released from the beef made the bread soggy. The flavor was amazing though so I’ll definitely make them again and use a roasting rack to keep the pitas from sitting in the juice. Super quick and easy to make

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About Me

Hi, I'm Fatimah!

I’m here to guide you through the world of Palestinian cooking with a modern twist. Whether you’re longing for those nostalgic meals you grew up with or looking to try something new and international, you’ll find recipes here that connect the past with the present—all designed to be easy, approachable, and packed with flavor. Let’s bring the heart of home-cooked meals back into your kitchen!

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