Arayes
Arayes are a Lebanese meat-stuffed pita, crisp outside and juicy inside. A quick and flavorful recipe perfect for sharing or snacking.
Servings: 8 servings
Equipment
- mixing bowl large
- grater
- mixing bowl small
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
