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Arayes in a pile on plate

Crispy Lamb Arayes with Tahini Yoghurt Sauce

Safira
Golden, crispy lamb arayes stuffed with seasoned minced lamb and served with a creamy tahini yoghurt sauce. An easy, flavour-packed Middle Eastern recipe.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine Lebanese, Middle Eastern, Palestinian
Servings 5 Servings
Calories 177 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Lamb Arayes

  • 1 large Onion peeled
  • 6-8 Garlic cloves crushed
  • ½ cup Parsley or coriander leaves finely chopped
  • 1 kg Ground lamb and Beef mixed (20-30% fat)
  • 2 tablespoon Tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoon Ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Allspice
  • 2 teaspoon Ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper Optional
  • 1 tablespoon Onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Baharat Optional, there is enough flavour in this recipe to skip this but i like to add some
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Fry a little piece of the meat and if it needs more Salt, adjust accordingly
  • 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
  • 10 Pitta Breads Cut in half and gently eased open
  • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil

For the Tahini Yoghurt Sauce

  • 200 -250 g Plain Yoghurt
  • ¼ cup Tahini
  • 2 tablespoon Lemon juice
  • 3 Garlic Cloves Crushed
  • Salt

Instructions
 

  • Step 1: Prepare the Onion - Using a box grater, grate the onion into fine shreds. Transfer to pa muslin cloth or a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
  • Step 2: Make the Filling - Add the grated onion, garlic, parsley or coriander, lamb and beef mince, tomato paste, and all of the spices and salt and pepper to a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly until the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the meat. Knead by hand until the mixture is fully combined, turns sticky and leaves a thin greasy layer at the side of the bowl. This will take a while (about 5-8 minutes) but the mixture must remain cold.
  • Step 3: Stuff the Pittas - Cut the pitta breads in half and carefully open each pocket.Fill each pitta with approximately ⅓ to ½ cup of the lamb mixture, pressing gently so the filling spreads evenly from edge to edge. Avoid overfilling.
  • Step 4: Cook Until Crispy - Heat a pan on the hob over medium-high heat.Brush both sides of the stuffed pittas with olive oil or lightly oil the cooking surface. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes on the first side until crisp and golden. Turn and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes. Finish by cooking briefly on the filling side for 2 to 3 minutes until the meat is fully cooked. Transfer to a serving platter and repeat with the remaining arayes.
  • Step 5: Make the Sauce - Whisk together the yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and salt until smooth and creamy. Serve alongside the hot arayes.

Notes

Expert Tips for Perfect Arayes

Remove Excess Moisture
Squeezing liquid from the onion helps prevent the filling from steaming inside the pitta.
Spread the Filling Evenly
Press the meat mixture gently into all corners of the pitta so every bite has a balanced ratio of meat and bread.
Use Medium-High Heat
Cooking over medium-high heat allows the bread to crisp while the filling cooks through.
Don't Skip the Olive Oil
A light coating of olive oil creates the signature golden exterior.
Rest Briefly Before Serving
Allow the arayes to rest for a minute or two after cooking. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the filling.

Variations

Short cut
If you don’t want to add all the Spices, simply add 3 heaped tablespoon Baharat to the mix.
Spicy Arayes
Increase the Aleppo pepper or add chilli flakes for extra heat.
Cheese-Stuffed Arayes
Add a small amount of shredded mozzarella, akkawi, or halloumi to the filling.
Herb-Forward Arayes
Increase the parsley or coriander for a fresher flavour profile.

What to Serve with Arayes

These crispy stuffed pittas pair beautifully with:

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Fridge
Store cooked arayes in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are arayes?

Arayes are stuffed pitta sandwiches popular throughout Palestine, Lebanon, and the wider Levant. The bread is filled with seasoned minced meat and cooked until crisp on the outside and juicy inside.

Is hawawshi the same as arayes?

Hawawshi is Egypt's version of a stuffed meat bread. While the concept is similar, the bread, seasonings, and preparation methods vary.

Can I make arayes in an air fryer?

Yes. Cook at 200°C (400°F) for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through cooking.

How do I know when they're fully cooked?

The pita should be deeply golden and crisp. The internal temperature should also reach at least 75°C (165°F).

Can I prepare them ahead of time?

Yes. The filling can be mixed a day ahead, and the stuffed pittas can also be assembled in advance and refrigerated until ready to cook.

Nutrition

Calories: 177kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 4gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 0.03mgSodium: 542mgPotassium: 305mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 944IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 2mg
Keyword arayes
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