Arayes (Middle Eastern Meat-Stuffed Pitas)
Arayes are a delicious Middle Eastern dish made with pita bread stuffed with spiced ground meat and grilled or baked to crispy perfection. This easy recipe delivers a crispy exterior with a juicy, flavorful filling.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Grill or Skillet
- Baking Sheet (optional)
Ingredients
Meat Filling
- 1 lb ground lamb or beef or a mix of both
- 1 small onion grated or finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp parsley chopped
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper to taste
Pitas
- 4 pieces pita bread cut into halves
- 2 tbsp olive oil for brushing
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground lamb or beef, grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, cumin, allspice, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until evenly combined.
- Cut each pita bread in half to create pockets. Stuff each pita half with a thin, even layer of the meat mixture, spreading it close to the edges.
- Brush both sides of the stuffed pitas lightly with olive oil.
- Grilling Method: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the stuffed pitas on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until crispy and golden brown.
- Pan-Frying Method: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the stuffed pitas for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
- Baking Method: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place stuffed pitas on a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
- Serve warm with dips like tahini sauce, tzatziki, or garlic sauce.
Notes
For extra crispiness, broil for the last 2 minutes of cooking. You can also add a sprinkle of pine nuts to the filling for a richer texture.