Hawawshi [Pronounced /ha-wow-shii/] is a classic Egyptian street food consisting of pita bread (preferably Aish Baladi) stuffed with spiced minced meat, onions, peppers, and parsley, then baked until crispy. It is often described as a savory, spiced Egyptian hamburger inside a toasted pocket.
A famous Egyptian street food, it is also eaten throughout the Levant where it is known as arayes.
Authentic Egyptian Hawawshi Recipe
Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 20 mins | Yields: 4-6 sandwiches
Ingredients:
Meat: 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 fat content is best)
Produce: 1 medium onion (finely minced), 1 green bell pepper (finely chopped), 1-2 hot peppers (optional), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1/2 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
Spices: 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp allspice or cardamom
Bread: 4-6 large pita bread loaves (Egyptian Baladi bread is ideal, but regular pita works)
Oil: Olive oil or butter for brushing
Instructions:
Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F. Brush a large baking sheet with oil.
Make Filling: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, minced onion, bell pepper, garlic, parsley, and spices. Mix well with your hands until fully combined, but do not overwork the meat.
Stuff Bread: Cut a small pocket in the edge of each pita. Divide the meat mixture into equal portions and stuff each pita, spreading the meat into a thin, even layer inside.
Oil and Bake: Brush both sides of each stuffed pita generously with olive oil or butter. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bread is crispy and the meat is fully cooked.
Serve: Cut into halves or wedges and serve warm with tahini, pickled vegetables, or fresh salad.
Pro Tips:
Drain Veggies: For a crisper sandwich, squeeze excess liquid out of the minced onion and pepper mixture before adding to the meat.
Variations: Add chopped tomatoes (seeds removed) or a little grated cheese into the filling for extra flavor.
Hawawshi makes for a quick and easy dinner, loved by kids and adults alike!. Dip it in something creamy, like plain yogurt, labna, or tahina sauce. You can also have it with your favorite salad, Egyptian salata baladi, and some pickles!
