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meat-stuffed pita pockets (arayes)
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5 from 46 votes

Arayes (Meat-Filled Pita Pockets)

These meat-filled pita pockets are easy to prepare and can be served as an appetizer, snack, or part of a healthy dinner!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Resting Time2 hours
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Main Dish, Snack
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Servings: 8 pita pockets
Calories: 289kcal
Author: Hilda Sterner

Equipment

  • 1 food processor
  • 1 grill pan
  • 1 baking sheet

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground beef or lamb
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon sumac powder
  • 1 teaspoon baharat spice
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 pita pockets (sliced in half)

Instructions

  • Add onion to a small food processor and process until fine. Squeeze the liquid from the onion, then add onion to a medium-sized bowl along with the ground lamb or beef.
  • Add the spices to the meat mixture and mix to combine. Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge to allow the flavors to come together for few hours.
  • Divide the meat into eight equal portions. Slice each pita bread in half and carefully stuff with the meat mixture forming a layer of meat into each pita pocket.

Preheat oven to 400° F

  • (optional step) Brush both sides of the stuffed pitas with olive oil. If you'd like to get grill marks on your arayes, add a few at a time to a hot grill pan. Press down with a spatula and cook for one minute on each side over medium-high heat.
  • Arrange arayes on a baking sheet. For easier cleanup, line the baking sheet with aluminum foil. Bake for 6 minutes on each side or until the meat is cooked and the pita bread is crispy. 

Notes

  • Slice each pita bread sandwich in two to serve as appetizers.
  • Make sure to drain the excess liquid before mixing the onion with the ground meat. If the mixture is too wet, you'll end up with a soggy pita sandwich.
  • Use good quality pita bread that is not too thin or flimsy, otherwise, they may not hold up when you stuff them with the meat.
  • Optionally, Mix pinenuts into the filling before stuffing the Arayes.
  • The best way to heat Arayes leftovers is in a toaster oven or an air fryer.
  • If you prefer to have more meat in your pita bread, you can double the kofta recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pocket | Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 585mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g