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✨ Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, these Arayes (Lebanese meat-stuffed pitas) are easy, flavorful, and perfect for sharing. 🥙🔥

Two arayes halves on a green plate with fresh salad on the side, showing the cooked meat filling inside the crispy pita bread.

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Arayes Recipe

When it comes to easy Middle Eastern comfort food, few dishes are as satisfying as beef arayes. This classic Lebanese arayes dish is made by stuffing spiced ground beef and lamb into pita bread, then crisping it to golden perfection. If you are looking for arayes recipes that are quick, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing, this one is a must-try. A simple arayes recipe turns a plain pita with meat into a crispy, juicy handheld meal you will want to make again and again.

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Crispy pita outside with juicy, spiced meat inside.
  • Quick prep with just a skillet, oven, or air fryer.
  • A traditional Lebanese arayes dish with bold spices.
  • Flexible and works with beef, lamb, or chicken.
  • One of the easiest arayes recipes for family meals or entertaining.
Overhead shot of arayes ingredients including ground beef, ground lamb, spices in small bowls, parsley, pita bread, mayonnaise, yogurt, olive oil, and pomegranate molasses on a light surface.

🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions

filling

  • ground beef – substitute with all lamb or chicken if preferred
  • ground lamb – use more beef if lamb is unavailable
  • onion, grated – substitute with shallots
  • fresh parsley, finely chopped – cilantro works as a substitute
  • garlic, minced – use garlic powder in a pinch
  • ground cumin
  • ground coriander
  • ground allspice
  • Aleppo chili flakes – substitute with red pepper flakes
  • paprika – smoked paprika adds a different flavor
  • pomegranate molasses (optional) – honey or balsamic glaze can be used
  • salt
  • black pepper

shwarma white sauce

  • mayonnaise
  • plain Greek yogurt – regular plain yogurt works too
  • white vinegar – lemon juice can be used
  • sugar
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • garlic, minced

serving

  • pita breads – any flatbread can be substituted
  • olive oil
  • fresh parsley, for garnish

✨ Variations

  • Make chicken arayes by swapping beef and lamb for ground chicken.
  • Bake in the oven for an easier, hands-off cooking method.
  • Add a spoonful of tahini sauce along with the white sauce for extra flavor.
  • Try spicy beef arayes by adding extra chili flakes or hot sauce.
  • Use whole wheat pita with meat for a healthier twist.

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Mixing bowl with ground beef, ground lamb, grated onion, parsley, minced garlic, and spices piled on top, ready to be combined for arayes filling.
Arayes filling mixture of ground beef, lamb, parsley, onion, garlic, and spices thoroughly mixed together in a glass bowl with a wooden spoon beside it.
Stack of halved pita bread pieces arranged on a wooden cutting board with a gold knife, ready to be stuffed for arayes.
Pita halves stuffed with raw spiced meat mixture arranged on a wooden board with a gold spoon tucked inside one pita showing the filling.
Three raw stuffed pitas cooking in a cast iron skillet, open side down, beginning to sear for arayes.
Three stuffed pitas flipped in a cast iron skillet, golden brown and crisping on the surface as they cook for arayes.
Bowl of mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, vinegar, minced garlic, sugar, salt, and black pepper before whisking into shwarma white sauce.
Smooth and creamy shwarma white sauce whisked together in a glass bowl with a whisk nearby.
Arayes served on a green plate with salad, one piece topped with creamy shwarma white sauce and a bite taken to show texture.

🔥 Tips

  • Always sear the open side first to seal in juices.
  • Pack the filling tightly to the pita edges for even cooking.
  • If your sauce is too thick, thin it with water. Too thin, add more mayo or yogurt.
  • For the crispiest pita with meat, cook in a hot skillet or air fryer.

❓ FAQs

What is arayes?

Arayes are a Lebanese spiced ground meat stuffed pita that is cooked until crispy.

Are arayes always made with lamb?

No, many arayes recipes use beef, lamb, or a combination. You can also make chicken arayes.

What should I serve with arayes?

Serve with salad, hummus, or fries. The white sauce pairs perfectly, too.

How do I make them crispy?

Cook the arayes recipe in a hot skillet, oven, or air fryer with a little oil to keep the pita crunchy.

Can I make arayes ahead of time?

Yes, you can stuff the pita with meat and refrigerate them raw for up to 24 hours before cooking. Just cook when ready to serve.

Do I have to use both beef and lamb?

No, while many arayes recipes combine the two, you can use all beef for a simpler beef arayes version or all lamb for a richer flavor.

Can I use store-bought pita?

Yes, store-bought pita works perfectly. If it feels dry, warm it briefly to make it more pliable before stuffing.

How do I prevent the filling from falling out?

Seal the open side by cooking it first, and press the pita gently with a spatula to hold the meat in place.

🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy

Square crop of arayes served on a green plate with salad, showing the crisp pita and spiced meat filling inside.
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Servings: 8 servings

Arayes

By Jamie Sherman
Arayes are a Lebanese meat-stuffed pita, crisp outside and juicy inside. A quick and flavorful recipe perfect for sharing or snacking.
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
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Equipment

Ingredients 

Filling

  • ½ lb ground beef
  • ½ lb ground lamb
  • ½ cup onion, grated
  • ½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon Aleppo chili flakes
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses, optional
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Shwarma White Sauce

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons distilled vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, minced

For Serving

  • 4 pita breads
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, combine all filling ingredients and mix until well combined.
  • If pita bread is dry or stiff, warm briefly. Wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave for 15-20 seconds, or heat in a dry skillet for a few seconds per side.
  • Open each pita and spread about 1 inch of the meat mixture inside, pressing it evenly to the edges.
  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the stuffed pitas open-side down first and cook 2-3 minutes until browned.
  • Flip and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Press gently with a spatula for even cooking. Cook in batches if necessary.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk all sauce ingredients until smooth.
  • Serve warm arayes with white sauce and garnish with parsley.

Notes

🥡 STORAGE

  • Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
  • Freeze individually wrapped arayes for up to 3 months.
  • Store sauce separately in the fridge for 3-4 days.

♨️ REHEATING

  • Reheat in a skillet until crisp.
  • Oven or air fryer at 350°F until hot.
  • Microwave works but softens pita.
  • From frozen, thaw or reheat directly in the oven/air fryer, allowing extra time.

❄️ FREEZING

  • Wrap cooled arayes individually.
  • Freeze up to 3 months.
  • Thaw in fridge overnight before reheating.

💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS

  • Press the filling firmly to pita edges.
  • Adjust filling thickness and cooking time to preference.
  • Always sear the open side first to prevent leakage.
  • Adjust sauce consistency with water, mayo, or yogurt.

🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS

  • Oven: Bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes per side.
  • Air fryer: Cook at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway.
  • Grill: Cook over medium heat 3-4 minutes per side.

♻️ LEFTOVERS

  • Slice and serve as appetizers.
  • Add chopped arayes to a salad or grain bowl.
  • Reheat and dip in hummus or tahini.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5pita, Calories: 425kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 50mg, Sodium: 761mg, Potassium: 245mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 459IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 59mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Jamie

Jamie Sherman founded Love Bakes Good Cakes in February 2012. She is a self-taught home cook passionate about sharing easy, delicious, and family-friendly recipes. From comforting classics to irresistible desserts, I believe homemade food brings people together. Join me on my journey of creating and sharing meals that bring joy to every table!

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