Hawawshi combines browned bread with an onion-and-pepper meat filling, but thickness matters. Overfilling may brown the bread before the centre cooks. Use a thin, even layer and control vegetable moisture before closing the bread.
Ingredients for four flatbreads
Use 600 g plain mince, four medium baladi flatbreads with pockets, one finely chopped medium onion and one small green pepper. Add one teaspoon cumin, half a teaspoon ground coriander, pinches of paprika and black pepper, and salt to taste. Allow one or two tablespoons oil for lightly brushing the bread.
Chop onion and pepper and drain excess liquid. This version uses ready-made bread, not raw dough, which needs different steps and timing. Adjust filling to bread size rather than distributing equally among very different loaves.
Mixing and filling
Combine mince, vegetables and spices thoroughly. Cook a small bite to assess seasoning, then carefully open each bread from one side. Spread filling evenly to the edges without piling it in the middle. Press the bread gently to maintain its shape.
Brush both sides lightly with oil and arrange on a tray. Bake in a preheated 190–200°C oven, turning as needed. Start checking after about 20 minutes; timing varies with bread and filling thickness.
Checking doneness
Insert a fine probe through the side into the filling and confirm 71°C. Bread colour is insufficient. If it browns early, cover lightly with a suitable covering and finish at lower heat, then uncover to restore crispness.
Serve with tahini, pickles and salad, letting the bread settle briefly before cutting so juices do not rush out. These sides also suit shawarma, but hawawshi uses mince and a different cooking method.
Can the filling be cooked first?
A precooked filling works in a different homemade version, with less oven time and safe reheating if refrigerated. This method uses a thin raw filling cooked inside the bread; do not interchange the timings.
Related products from ALRAQI MEATS
Beef Mince - 1 kg, or Local Rufaidi Lamb Mince - 1 kg. Check the product page for weight, ingredients and cutting options before ordering. Choose a cut suited to the cooking method; a boneless or mixed-meat label alone does not guarantee suitability for quick cooking.
Further guidance
Safe minimum cooking temperatures, Refrigerated food storage.