How to Make the Perfect Hawawshi
Egyptian · Medium · 55 min · 4 servings
Hawawshi is a crispy Egyptian meat pie made from spiced minced beef and onions stuffed inside dough and baked or pan-fried until golden and crunchy. It is a popular street food and casual meal that delivers bold spiced meat flavors with an irresistible crust.
Why this recipe works
This Hawawshi recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 55 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 580 calories with 28g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 500 grams ground beef
- 2 medium white onions finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 4 rounds flatbread or pita dough
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Meat Filling
Combine ground beef with finely chopped onions, allspice, chili flakes, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly with your hands until the onions are evenly distributed and the mixture is well seasoned.
Step 2: Stuff the Bread
Open pita pockets or flatten dough rounds and spread an even layer of raw meat filling inside. Press the edges firmly together to seal the filling inside without any gaps.
Step 3: Cook the Hawawshi
Heat oil in a large pan over medium high heat and place stuffed pies in the pan. Cook for 7 minutes per side pressing gently with a spatula until deeply golden and the meat is cooked through.
Step 4: Rest and Serve
Remove from heat and let rest for 3 minutes so the juices redistribute inside the crust. Cut into wedges and serve hot with tahini sauce and pickled vegetables on the side.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- ground beef → ground lamb for a richer flavor
- flatbread dough → store bought pizza dough
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Overfilling the bread which causes it to burst open during cooking
- Cooking on too high heat which burns the outside before the meat filling cooks through
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 580 calories, 28g protein, 52g carbs, 28g fat, 3g fiber.
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