Arayes (Lebanese Meat-Stuffed Pita)

5 from 1 vote

Arayes (Lebanese Meat-Stuffed Pita)

Arayes are Lebanese pita pockets stuffed with flavorful kofta meat, pan-fried until crispy. Quick and easy to make, they’re perfect as an appetizer or main dish.

Prep Time10

Cook Time10

Total Time20

Course: Appetizer, Main

Cuisine: Lebanese

Freezer friendly: 3 Months

Shelf life: 2-3 Days

Servings: as appetizers

Author: Samira

Equipment

Grill pan or grill; or you can bake them in the oven
Instant-read thermometer

Ingredients

For the kofta mixture

2 lb ground beef (80% 20% fat)
3.2 oz onion 1 medium (1 cup chopped)
1 oz parsley 1 cup finely chopped
1/2 Tbsp Lebanese 7-spice
1/2 Tbsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp chili powder (optional)

Other ingredients

5 pita bread
2 Tbsp olive oil for brushing

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix well the ground beef, chopped onion, chopped parsley, Lebanese 7-spice mix, salt, pepper, and optional chili powder.
Cut the pita bread in half and gently open the sides to make the pockets.
Spread a portion of the meat mixture on the inside of each pita pocket. Use as much meat as you want—I stuff them with 1/4 cup of the mix per pocket.
You can cook the arayes on the grill, on a grill pan, or in the oven.
On a grill pan: Heat it over medium heat and brush it with olive oil. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Press them lightly to cook evenly.
In the oven: Brush a baking tray with oil or cover it with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 400ºF/200ºC for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
On the grill: Preheat to medium-high heat and grill for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
Check for doneness: the internal temperature of the meat should be 160°F/71°C, and there should be no visible pinkness.
You can optionally keep the arayes warn in the oven at 120ºF/50ºC. Then, serve them hot, and enjoy!

Video

Notes

To store: It's best to enjoy arayes fresh and hot! Let any leftovers cool completely and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat, bake at 350°F/175ºC for 5 minutes until warmed through and crispy.

To freeze: Arayes is great for meal prep. You can freeze the assembled uncooked pita pockets for up to 3 months. Cook directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to your cooking method.

Check the blog post for more tips and serving suggestions!

Nutrition