Hawawshi (Egyptian Baked Bread Stuffed with Spiced Meat)
Local name: حواوشي
In short: Pita-style bread packed with juicy minced beef, onion, peppers and parsley, then baked until the outside is crisp and the filling sizzles. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 570 kcal
Hawawshi is what happens when a spiced meat patty meets a hot oven. Minced beef is mixed with onion, peppers, parsley and warm spices, pressed into flatbread, and baked until the crust crisps and the juices soak into the bread. Cut into wedges, it is served hot with sliced tomato or pickles. Pita works well at home.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 220°C (425°F) and put a baking tray on the middle rack to heat up.
- Mix the beef, onion, peppers, parsley, garlic, tomato paste, oil, spices and salt with your hands for 1 to 2 minutes, until sticky and evenly blended.
- Slit each pita along one edge and open the pocket without tearing it. Spoon a quarter of the meat into each pocket and press from the outside to spread it in an even layer right to the edges.
- Brush both sides of each filled bread with oil. Lay them on the hot tray.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once halfway, until the bread is crisp and deep golden and the meat reaches 71°C (160°F) in the center.
- Rest for 5 minutes, then cut into wedges. Serve hot with sliced tomato, pickles and a green salad.
Tips
- Do not use lean beef. The fat melts into the bread as it bakes, and lean meat turns dry and crumbly. If your beef is very lean, mix 2 tbsp oil into the filling.
- Press the filling thin and even, right to the edges. A thick pocket cooks unevenly, and an overfilled one bursts in the oven.
Questions and answers
What is hawawshi?
Minced meat spiced with onion, pepper and parsley, baked inside flatbread until crisp. In Egypt it is a popular snack and street food, and it also turns up at home as a quick meal.
Can I freeze hawawshi?
Yes. Fill the breads, wrap them tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Bake from frozen at 200°C (400°F) for about 35 minutes, until the center reaches 71°C (160°F).
Can I use lamb or chicken?
Lamb works well and is a common choice. Ground chicken is lean, so add a spoonful of oil to the mixture. Bake until the filling reaches 71°C (160°F) for beef and lamb, or 74°C (165°F) for chicken.
How long does it take to make Hawawshi (Egyptian Baked Bread Stuffed with Spiced Meat)?
About 45 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Hawawshi (Egyptian Baked Bread Stuffed with Spiced Meat)?
About 570 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 40 g of carbohydrates and 33 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 570 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Fat | 33 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 820 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
