Arayes Recipe

Introduction

Arayes are delicious Middle Eastern stuffed pita pockets filled with spiced ground beef. They are crispy on the outside and juicy inside, making them a perfect snack or meal. Whether grilled or baked, arayes are sure to impress with their rich flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 lb extra lean ground beef (500g)
• 5 garlic cloves (peeled)
• 1/2 onion (peeled and quartered)
• 1/2 cup parsley (packed)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon seven spice (or substitute with allspice)
• 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses (see notes)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for the meat)
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil (for the pitas)
• 4 round pitas (smaller 4 inch pitas)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (if you plan to bake the arayes).
2. Step 2: Finely chop the onion, garlic, and parsley by hand or pulse in a food processor until finely minced.
3. Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with the chopped onion, garlic, parsley, black pepper, salt, seven spice, pomegranate molasses, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix well by hand, ensuring the spices are evenly incorporated.
4. Step 4: Cut each pita in half and gently open to form pockets. Stuff each pita half with about 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture. Be careful not to overfill. Press the pita flat to evenly spread the filling to the edges.
5. Step 5: Brush the outside of each stuffed pita with olive oil on all sides to help achieve a crispy crust.
6. Step 6 (Grill method): Preheat a cast iron grill pan and brush with oil. Cook the pitas over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side, pressing down with a spatula for even cooking. Turn the pitas to sear the open meat side as well. Adjust heat as needed to cook through without burning.
7. Step 7 (Bake method): Place stuffed pitas on a baking sheet with a rack to keep them crispy, avoiding parchment paper. Bake for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
8. Step 8: If needed, broil the pitas for a few minutes at the end to get extra crispness. Watch closely to prevent burning.
9. Step 9: Serve your arayes hot with yogurt, tahini sauce, ketchup, or your favorite side like fries. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• You can substitute seven spice with allspice if unavailable for a similar flavor profile.
• Pomegranate molasses adds a tangy sweetness; if you don’t have it, a splash of lemon juice mixed with a little honey can be used instead.
• For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with spiced minced mushrooms or lentils.
• Brushing olive oil generously on the pita before cooking ensures a nicely browned and crispy exterior.

Storage

Store leftover arayes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in a skillet or oven to maintain crispness rather than using a microwave, which can make the pitas soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze arayes?

Yes, you can freeze uncooked stuffed pitas by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag. Cook from frozen by baking or grilling, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Can I use other types of bread instead of pita?

Pita works best due to its pocket structure, but you can experiment with flatbreads or even sandwich bread if needed. Just keep in mind the texture and cooking time may differ.

Arayes Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 76 reviews

Arayes is a delicious Middle Eastern dish featuring pita bread stuffed with a flavorful mixture of spiced ground beef, herbs, and pomegranate molasses, then grilled or baked until crispy and golden. Perfect as a savory snack or appetizer, these meat-stuffed pitas deliver a wonderful blend of spices and textures.

• Author: Amy
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 Arayes halves (4 whole pitas) 1x
• Category: Snack/Appetizer
• Method: Grilling and Baking
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Filling

• 1 lb extra lean ground beef (500g)
• 5 garlic cloves (peeled)
• 1/2 onion (peeled and quartered)
• 1/2 cup parsley (packed)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon seven spice (or substitute with allspice)
• 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for the meat mixture)

For Assembling and Cooking

• 4 round pitas (smaller 4 inch size)
• 2–3 tablespoons olive oil (for brushing the pitas)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven (if baking): Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the Arayes.
2. Prepare the herb mixture: Finely chop the onions, garlic, and parsley by hand or pulse them in a food processor until very fine and well combined.
3. Mix the meat filling: In a bowl, combine the ground beef with the chopped onion, garlic, parsley, black pepper, salt, seven spice, pomegranate molasses, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Use your hands to mix thoroughly and evenly incorporate all ingredients.
4. Stuff the pitas: Cut each pita in half to form pockets. Stuff each half with about 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture, making sure to fill fully but not overstuff. Press down lightly to flatten and spread the filling evenly to the edges.
5. Brush pitas with oil: Lightly brush all sides of the stuffed pitas with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil to ensure crisping during cooking.
6. Cooking option 1 – Grill: Heat a cast iron grill pan over medium-high heat and brush it with oil. Grill the pitas 3-4 minutes per side, pressing down with a spatula. Flip so the exposed meat side directly contacts the grill, searing the meat. Adjust heat if needed and check doneness carefully.
7. Cooking option 2 – Bake: Place the stuffed pitas on a baking sheet with a rack (avoid parchment paper). Bake for about 20 minutes, turning halfway through for even cooking. The rack helps to keep them crispy.
8. Crisp the pitas if needed: If desired, finish them by broiling for a few minutes. Monitor closely to avoid burning while achieving the perfect crispy exterior.
9. Serve: Serve your Arayes immediately with yogurt, tahini sauce, ketchup, or fries for a delightful meal.

Notes

• Seven spice is a Middle Eastern blend usually containing cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, cloves, nutmeg, coriander, and cumin; if unavailable, allspice is a good substitute.
• Pomegranate molasses adds a tangy sweetness; if unavailable, a mix of lemon juice and a little honey can be used as a substitute.
• Using a baking rack prevents sogginess and promotes an evenly crisp pita crust.
• Adjust the amount of olive oil brushed on the pitas according to desired crispness and calorie preference.

Keywords: Arayes, Middle Eastern, grilled pita, stuffed pita, ground beef, pomegranate molasses, appetizer, snack, baked meat pita