Egyptian Hawawshi | Pita Pocket Burger

Egyptian Hawawshi | Pita Pocket Burger

Egyptian hawawshi is a beloved street food and home-cooked favorite, often referred to as Egypt's answer to stuffed bread. It features seasoned ground meat, typically spiced with onions, parsley, and a blend of aromatic spices, tucked into pita bread and baked or grilled to crispy perfection. The result is a savory, flavorful dish with a golden, crunchy crust and a juicy, spiced filling. Hawawshi is best enjoyed hot, often served with pickles or tahini for a complete and satisfying meal.

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Ingredients

(Seasonings should be added to taste.)

For the Meat Filling:

• fresh parsley

• 1 yellow onion

• 1 green bell pepper

• 1 jalapeño (optional)

• 4 garlic cloves

• 2 pounds 80% lean ground beef

• paprika

• ground coriander

• ground cumin

• sea salt

• black pepper

All Other Ingredients:

• 4-6 thicker-style pita bread with pockets

• olive oil (for brushing)

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Instructions

Preparing the Meat Filling

Start by blending fresh parsley, onions, green bell pepper, and garlic cloves in a food processor until finely chopped. After blending, squeeze out any excess onion water or juices from the vegetable mixture to prevent sogginess. Add the vegetable mixture to the ground beef and season it with paprika, ground coriander, ground cumin, sea salt, and black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.

Assembling the Hawawshi

Once the meat mixture is ready, slice the pita bread in half to create pockets. Open each pocket carefully and stuff it with the seasoned beef mixture, spreading it evenly inside. Place the stuffed pita halves on a baking tray, and brush the outside of each pita with olive oil for a golden, crispy finish.

Baking the Hawawshi

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the hawawshi for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through the bake time to ensure even crispiness. The bread should be golden and crunchy when done, with the meat cooked through.

Serving the Hawawshi

Serve hawawshi hot, straight out of the oven. The crispy, golden pita pairs perfectly with a dip of tahina sauce. Enjoy this flavorful Egyptian favorite as a snack, appetizer, or main dish!