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 delicious dinner!
Servings: 8 pita pockets
Calories: 289kcal
Equipment
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, it may not hold up when you stuff it 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
