Air Fryer Arayes (Meat-Stuffed Pita)

Ingredients

• 300 g minced beef or lamb
• 1 small onion, very finely chopped
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
• 2 garlic cloves, grated (optional)
• ½ tsp chilli powder or Aleppo pepper (optional)
• ½ tsp seven-spice or cumin (optional)
• 2 pita breads, split open into thin rounds
• Salt, oil spray

Steps

1. Mix the mince with the onion, parsley, garlic, chilli and spice, kneading briefly until it's well combined and slightly sticky.
2. Split each pita into two thin rounds (cutting around the edge if it's a pocket pita) and spread the meat mixture thinly and evenly right to the edges of each round - a thin layer cooks through without leaving a raw patch in the middle.
3. Press the two halves back together, or fold if using a single round, so the filling is sandwiched inside.
4. Spray both sides with oil.
5. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C, then lay the arayes flat in the basket.
6. Air fry for 5 minutes, then flip carefully with a spatula.
7. Air fry a further 4-5 minutes (about 10 minutes total) until the bread is crisp and golden and the meat is fully cooked through - cut one open to check if unsure.
8. Cut into wedges and serve hot, ideally with a yogurt or tahini dip on the side.

Tip: Spread the meat thin and all the way to the edges - a thick, uneven layer is the main reason the bread burns before the centre cooks.

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Nutrition (per serving)

Estimated from standard ingredient data — actual values vary by brand and exact quantities used.