Name: Crispy Arayes—Middle Eastern Meat-Stuffed Pitas
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Lean ground beef; Yellow onion, grated and squeezed dry; Garlic cloves, minced; Tomato paste; Fresh parsley, chopped; Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional); Olive oil; Salt; Black pepper; Ground cinnamon; Ground cumin; Paprika; Allspice; Greek yogurt; Tahini; Lemon juice; Garlic cloves, minced; Olive oil; Fresh parsley, chopped; Fresh cilantro, chopped; Cumin; Salt and pepper; Paprika; Small pitas, halved and opened into pockets

Golden, crispy pita pockets stuffed with juicy, spiced beef and served with creamy garlic tahini sauce. A Lebanese-Palestinian street food classic you can bake at home.

Crispy Arayes—Middle Eastern Meat-Stuffed Pitas 🥙🔥

Golden, crunchy on the outside and juicy, spiced beef on the inside — Arayes are the ultimate Middle Eastern street food that you can easily make at home. Originating from Lebanese and Palestinian kitchens, these stuffed pita pockets deliver that irresistible combo of crispy bread, savory filling, and creamy garlic tahini dip.

🧄 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Imagine a burger’s boldness wrapped inside a perfectly toasted pita. The beef mixture bursts with warm spices like cinnamon, cumin, and allspice, balanced by fresh herbs and garlic. It’s satisfying, aromatic, and pairs beautifully with a cooling tahini yogurt sauce.

Whether you’re making it for a quick dinner or as a party snack, these Arayes bake up golden and irresistible — no deep-frying needed!

🥩 Building the Perfect Beef Filling

Start by grating the onion and squeezing out every bit of moisture — this small step keeps your filling juicy but never soggy. Combine it with lean ground beef, garlic, tomato paste, parsley, and spices like cumin, paprika, and cinnamon. Massage everything by hand until evenly mixed for maximum tenderness and flavor.

🫓 Assembling the Arayes

Cut each small pita in half and open them into pockets. Stuff generously with the beef mixture, then brush both sides with olive oil. A quick sear in a hot skillet locks in flavor before they go into the oven for that golden, crunchy finish.

🧈 Optional Flavor Boost

Once baked, brush the warm pita with melted garlic butter — it adds a rich, aromatic layer that takes these to the next level.

🥣 Creamy Garlic Tahini Sauce

The garlic tahini dip balances the richness of the beef. Whisk together yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, parsley, cilantro, cumin, and paprika. Season to taste — this sauce doubles beautifully as a salad dressing or dip for roasted veggies.

🍽️ Serving Ideas

Serve the Arayes hot and crisp, fresh out of the oven, with a drizzle (or generous dunk!) of garlic tahini sauce. They’re perfect alongside a bright cucumber-tomato salad or pickled turnips for that authentic Middle Eastern touch.

💡 Tips for Success

Always squeeze onions dry before mixing — no one likes soggy pitas.
Don’t overstuff the pockets to prevent tearing.
Bake directly on a wire rack for extra crispness.

❤️ Why This Recipe Works

This version keeps the authentic flavors of Arayes while using simple, accessible ingredients. Baking instead of deep-frying gives the perfect crispy texture with less oil, while the tahini sauce provides creamy balance to the spiced beef filling.

Sweet, spicy, herby, and crunchy — these Arayes prove that simple ingredients can deliver huge flavor. 🥙✨