Print

Arayes

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Arayes are a popular Levantine street food made by stuffing pita bread with seasoned minced meat and cooking until golden and crisp. Juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside, they’re perfect as a snack, appetizer, or light main course.

Ingredients

  • 500g ground meat (lamb, beef, or a mix)
  • 1 small onion, grated or finely minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
  • 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses (optional)
  • 2–3 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
  • 4 pita breads (pocket style or flat, halved if needed)
  • Sesame yogurt sauce (optional): 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 tbsp tahini, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 clove garlic (minced), water to thin, salt to taste

Instructions

  1. In a bowl or food processor, combine onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, paprika, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Add tomato paste and pomegranate molasses if using.
  2. Add the ground meat and mix until evenly combined, being careful not to overwork.
  3. Cut each pita in half or open flat. Spread a thin, even layer of the meat mixture inside each piece, all the way to the edges.
  4. Brush both outer sides of each stuffed pita with olive oil.
  5. Choose a cooking method:
    • Pan: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook arayes 3–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
    • Grill: Preheat grill to medium and cook each side until meat is cooked and bread is crisp.
    • Oven: Preheat to 200°C (400°F), place arayes on a rack or baking sheet, and bake for 10–15 minutes, flipping halfway. Broil for 1–2 minutes for extra crispiness.
  6. To make the dipping sauce: Mix yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Add water to reach desired consistency.
  7. Cut arayes into quarters if desired and serve warm with sauce, salad, or pickles.

Notes

Use lean meat to prevent soggy pita.Baking is the easiest method for batch cooking.Broiling at the end helps crisp the bread.Don’t overfill or the meat may not cook through.Great with garlic sauce, tahini, or plain yogurt on the side.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookibly.com/arayes/