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    Home » Appetizers

    Open-Faced Sandwiches – Czech Chlebíčky

    Published: Nov 29, 2020 · Modified: Oct 20, 2022 by Petra Kupská

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    These little treats show up whenever Czechs organize a family party! They are called obložené chlebíčky, or in English, open-faced sandwiches.

    Czech open-faced sandwiches oblozene chlebicky
    Table of Contents hide
    ➜ Open-Faced Sandwich Definition
    ➜ Chlebíčky: A Czech Specialty with a Long History
    ➜ Veka: Czech white Bread
    ➜ How to Garnish Chlebíčky?
    ➜ Watch this: Janek Rubeš (Honest Guy) Making Chlebíčky
    Obložené Chlebíčky - Czech Open Faced Sandwiches

    ➜ Open-Faced Sandwich Definition

    Open-faced sandwiches or obložené chlebíčky are slices of a particular type of white bread (veka in Czech), with butter, or occasionally, deli salad (vlašský or pochoutkový salát) spread on top and garnished with rolled ham slices, hard salami, cheese and more.

    The end aesthetic of the sandwiches is also essential. It dictates how the ham slices or cheese are garnished on top.

    Czech open-faced sandwiches are an excellent meal to feed a crowd. They‘re eaten at significant celebrations: birthdays, weddings, Christmas and New Year's Eve, and large family gatherings.

    Read also: What do Czech eat at Christmas

    spreading vlašský salát on white bread

    Tip: Another great option for spreading white bread while making open-faced sandwiches is the famous Czech potato salad (bramborový salát).

    ➜ Chlebíčky: A Czech Specialty with a Long History

    The open-faced sandwich was invented in Prague by delicatessen shop owner Jan Paukert.

    He lived in Prague during the so-called First Czechoslovak Republic (in the interwar period; 1918-1938), and his shop was considered to be one of the three most famous European delicatessen shops.

    The chlebíček was created because Jan Paukert wanted something between finger foods and giant sandwiches. And the gourmet open-faced sandwiches really took off!

    chlebíčky open face sandwiches

    TIP: A bite-size open-faced sandwich is in Czech called jednohubka.

    ➜ Veka: Czech white Bread

    The base of the chlebíček is formed by a slice of white bread called “veka“ in the Czech Republic (similar to a French baguette).

    Veka is a white stick loaf made out of yeasted dough. The slices of veka are about ½ inches thick.

    It´s easy, you just need to grab the right knife and then a little patience to get even slices of veka.

    Read on how to make homemade veka bread.

    TIP: Try out topinka, an easy Czech appetizer!

    ➜ How to Garnish Chlebíčky?

    First, take a slice of veka and spread butter or some salty spread (Czechs typically use „vlašský salát“, a kind of ham salad).

    Cook’s tip: Try out my sardine spread, it tastes heavenly good on veka!

    This recipe uses the so-called „pomazánkové máslo“ something like spreadable butter, another famous Czech specialty.

    You can then garnish the sandwich with the following delicatessen:

    • ham slices or rolled hard salami slices
    • hard-boiled eggs, sliced into rounds
    • dill pickles
    • wedge of tomato
    • canned peppers or fresh bell pepper cut into rings
    • sprig of parsley
    • hard cheese

    You can use various kinds of cheese, salami, ham, or vegetables. Sprinkle the egg slices with sweet ground paprika or chili flakes for a nice effect.

    Interested in Czech cuisine? Discover more authentic Czech food!

    czech opan face sandwiches

    My tip: Hermelínová pomazánka, a spread made with Czech famous Hermelín cheese

    ➜ Watch this: Janek Rubeš (Honest Guy) Making Chlebíčky

    Look at this VIDEO on Youtube, where Janek Rubeš, known as Hones Guy, explains how to make Czech open-faced sandwiches! Video with instructions in English.

    More Czech recipes:

    • Šunkofleky - Czech Ham and Noodle Casserole
    • Bramboráky - Czech Potato Pancakes
    • Česneková pomazánka – Czech Garlic Cheese Spread
    • Hot open-faced sandwich – ďábelské topinky

    Tried this recipe?

    Leave a review down in the comments! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Follow me on Facebook and Pinterest. Subscribe to my newsletter. Send me any question about Czech cuisine to my e-mail. I love hearing your feedback!

    Obložené Chlebíčky - Czech Open Faced Sandwiches

    This is an easy recipe for open faced sandwiches for a crowd in the Czech style!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Petra Kupská
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Czech
    Keyword: chlebíčky, sandwiches

    Ingredients

    • French bread
    • Spreadable butter or ham salad
    • Boiled eggs
    • Pickles
    • Ham and hard salami thin slices
    • Hard cheese Edam
    • Tomato
    • Springs of parsley
    • Chili flakes

    Instructions

    • Boil the eggs for 9 minutes, so the yolks keep their nice yellow color. Cool them down in cold water. Peel the finished hard-boiled eggs and cut them into circles.
    • Slice the french bread into slices about ½ inch thick.
    • Spread the butter or ham salad over the slices.
    • Garnish one side of the sandwich with rolled ham or hard salami and the other with cheese and hard-boiled egg.
    • Continue garnishing the chlebíček with pickles, tomato wedges, and a sprig of parsley.
    • In the end, sprinkle the chili flakes over the hard-boiled egg.

    Notes

    Put the chlebíčky on a tray and wrap them with a food-quality film, so they don‘t dry out. Remove the plastic wrap before serving.

    DISCLAIMER: Because I come from Central Europe, my recipes are based on metric units such as grams or milliliters. Check out how I convert metric units to the U.S. system:

    Conversion chart
    Do you like the recipe?I would be happy for your feedback! Please, rate the recipe and share your opinion or questions in comments bellow. Thank you very much.
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    More Appetizer Recipes

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    • Homemade Dill Pickles (Czech Recipe)
    • Zelnicky Czech Sauerkraut Crackers
    • Pickled Sausages (Czech Utopenci)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Judy

      January 29, 2022 at 5:59 am

      5 stars
      My parents come from the Czech Republic, and these sandwiches were a mainstay on our New Year's Eve parties. Even as a small girl, my favorite was the garlic one. Now I make them (my husband even helps sometimes!) for New Year's Eve, and they're usually eaten in the first hour of the party. This is a really good recipe!

      Reply
      • Marils

        February 20, 2022 at 11:44 am

        I usually make chlebíčky around Christmas or New Years. I don't know why. We like them so much, we could certainly enjoy them all year around.
        Our usual spread used for the "glue" is mashed potato salad, because that's usually something I always have on hand for the holidays. and it already contains a generous amount of eggs
        The tops are usually layered with salami or ham, grape tomatoes, Italian Parsley and sliced gherkins. The platter usually contains a bowl of mixed olives, feta, and I usually offer tomato juice along side.
        Thank you for reminding me of this tasty treat.

        Reply
        • Petra Kupská

          February 20, 2022 at 4:15 pm

          Thank you, Marils, for your lovely comment! We also make chlebicky on New Year's Eve and at family celebrations in our house. Potato salad as a base is a great choice, then just garnish with cheese, ham, boiled egg. Unbelievable goodness!

          Reply
    2. Franta

      July 21, 2022 at 1:58 pm

      Ahoj Petro!
      I’m so glad to find your website. My high school class is having our collective 75th birthday party shortly. I promised to bring some goodies: chlebicky and babovka so they can experience Czech food. I was going to make chlebicky from memory—who knew there is an actual recipe! After 12 years of struggling to learn Czech, I can cook far better than I can speak.
      Srdecni zdravi,
      Franta

      Reply
      • Petra Kupská

        July 22, 2022 at 11:41 am

        Ahoj Frantisku, thank you very much for your lovely comment, it made me happy! First of all, big congratulations and wishes for such a wonderful anniversary, the 75th birthday must be celebrated properly! Babovka and chlebicky are worthy dishes from Czech cuisine that will stand out on a festively set table - an excellent choice 🙂 I wish you all an awesome celebration and may the goodies you bring be enjoyed by everyone.
        Hodne stesti a zdravi vsem preje Petra! (My humble contribution in the Czech language)

        Reply

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    Hi there, I’m Petra, a self-taught home cook and a Czech mom of two teen boys with more than 20 years of cooking experience. I am here to share traditional recipes from the Czech Republic, a small country in the very heart of Europe.

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