Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 3 votes

Arayes (Meat Stuffed Pita)

Arayes (Meat Stuffed Pita) is a simple yet extremely delicious Middle Eastern street food that will impress your guests.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4 pieces
Calories: 445 kcal
Course: Main Course , Appetizer , Snacks
Cuisine: Middle Eastern , Lebanese

Ingredients

  • 500 g lean ground beef (5% fat content)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 medium onion (grated)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ tablespoon tomato paste
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoon 7 spices
  • 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
  • 100 g kasar or mozzarella (optional) (grated)
  • 4 small pita bread
  • 1 tablespoon good quality olive oil (to brush)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
  2. Place the ground beef, grated onion, garlic, salt, paprika, pomegranate molasses, and tomato paste in a medium-sized mixing bowl. 
  3. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
  4. Cut the pita bread in half and open up the pocket.
  5. If you want to serve them as an appetizer or as a snack, cut the pita bread in half, open up the pocket, and then cut each half into quarters.
  6. Add a few tablespoons of the mixture to each pita and spread it out evenly, making sure not to make the layer too thick. This ensures that the Arayes will cook through properly. Make sure the filling goes all the way to the edges of the pita to get a nice sear when grilled.
  7. If you want to add cheese, sprinkle grated cheddar, kasar, or mozzarella over the meat mixture before grilling or baking.
  8. Brush the pita quarters/halves with a little bit of olive oil.
  9. Repeat this process with the remaining pita bread and meat mixture.
  10. Grill the Arayes for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the bread is crispy and the meat is cooked through.
  11. If you want to bake the Arayes, preheat your oven to 190℃ (374℉) and bake them for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
  12. To crisp them up, place the Arayes under the broiler for a few minutes.
  13. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use high-quality ground beef or lamb that is fresh and lean. Using ground beef with a higher fat content may result in overly fatty Arayes.
  • Avoid overstuffing the pita with the meat mixture, as this can cause the pita to break or become soggy. A moderate amount of filling is best.
  • Preheat the oven or grill before cooking the Arayes. This will ensure that they cook evenly and are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
  • Brush the Arayes with olive oil or melted butter before cooking to give them a crispy texture and a golden-brown color.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the Arayes reaches at least 74° C (165° F) to ensure they are fully cooked and safe to eat.
  • Arayes can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as tahini, hummus, or tzatziki. These sauces will add extra flavor and complement the dish nicely.

Nutrition Information

Calories 445kcal (22%) Carbohydrates 38g (13%) Protein 38g (76%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 0.4g Cholesterol 94mg (31%) Sodium 1136mg (47%) Potassium 589mg (17%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 171IU (3%) Vitamin C 4mg (4%) Calcium 265mg (27%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4pieces

Amount Per Serving

Calories 445

% Daily Value*

Calories 445kcal 22%
Carbohydrates 38g 13%
Protein 38g 76%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 0.4g 20%
Cholesterol 94mg 31%
Sodium 1136mg 47%
Potassium 589mg 13%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 171IU 3%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 265mg 27%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.