Crispy Lebanese Arayes Pita Pockets (Printable)

Crispy pita pockets filled with aromatic spiced meat, grilled until golden and crackling

# What You'll Need:

→ Meat Filling

01 - 1 lb ground lamb or beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely grated or minced
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
07 - 1/4 tsp ground allspice
08 - 3/4 tsp salt
09 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
10 - Pinch of chili flakes

→ For Assembling

11 - 4 small pita breads
12 - 2 tbsp olive oil or softened butter
13 - 1 small garlic clove, crushed, or 1 tsp sumac (optional, for oil mixture)

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine ground meat, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, salt, pepper, and chili flakes in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly with hands until well incorporated. Test seasoning by cooking a teaspoon of mixture in a pan, then adjust salt or spices as needed.
02 - Cut each pita in half to make semi-circles. Gently open each half to form a pocket. Stuff about 2 tablespoons of meat mixture into each pocket, spreading in a thin, even layer. Press lightly to seal edges.
03 - Mix olive oil or butter with optional crushed garlic or sumac. Lightly brush both sides of each stuffed pita with the mixture.
04 - Grill: Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill arayes 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Pan-Fry: Heat skillet over medium heat. Cook 4-5 minutes per side, pressing gently with spatula until crisp and cooked through. Oven: Preheat to 400°F. Bake on baking sheet 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisp and golden.
05 - Slice each arayes half in two for appetizers or serve whole. Best enjoyed immediately while crispy.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The meat-to-bread ratio is everything you never knew you needed
  • Crispy, spiced, and ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish
02 -
  • Thin pitas are non-negotiable here, thick bread just will not achieve that perfect crunch
  • Pressing the meat into an even layer is the secret to uniform cooking and maximum crispiness
03 -
  • Do not skip the taste test step, it is the difference between good and incredible
  • The spiced oil brushing step is what makes them taste restaurant-quality
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