Meat Stuffed Pitas (Palestinian Arayes)

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.

These delectable ground beef stuffed pita 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. For a unique experience, don’t miss to make this Palestinian stuffed pitas recipe.

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A Close-Up of Golden, Crispy Authentic Arayes

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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.

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.

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Where Flavor Meets Tradition

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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.

You’ll only need to mix the minced beef with all the spices and vegetables required for the filling. In addition to that, you get to choose the cooking method.

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.

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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.

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Well-seasoned Beef Filling Packed in a Golden Crispy Pita

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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.

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Stuffed Arayes Variations

You can play around with the ingredients when it comes to choosing the meat for the filling.

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.

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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, Fattoush, Tabbouli 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.

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Dive into a World of Spices and Savories with Arayes

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Top Tips for the Best Arayes Recipe

Don’t skip the part where you drizzle olive oil on the pita pieces before cooking.

You can prepare the filling before if you have the time. The time given can allow the different flavors of the stuffing to meld.

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.

Try not to thicken the meat filling inside the pitas to ensure the meat is properly cooked.

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Storage Tips

Storing: It is best to enjoy Palestinian arayes fresh and hot. However, if you have leftovers, let them cool at room temperature and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Freezing: Wrap your pitas individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They will last for up to 2-3 months. When you are ready to serve, let them thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating: To reheat Palestinian arayes, place them on a baking sheet, and bake them at 350°F for 10 minutes or until the pita bread is crispy.

Can I prepare the meat filling in advance?

Yes, you can prepare it a few days before, but you must store it in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen for longer storage. Just be sure to thaw them before making this meat stuffed pita recipe.

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Crispy Pita Pockets

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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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 Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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