Zelnicky Czech Sauerkraut Crackers

Czechs and sauerkraut, it goes together! I'm here with a great recipe for zelnicky, salty crackers made with sauerkraut. Just a few humble ingredients and there's a delicious treat that will catch you by surprise!

➜ What is zelnicky

Zelnicky is oven-baked sauerkraut crackers or crunchy biscuits with a nice flaky texture, originating from the Czech Republic. Besides sauerkraut, they include lard and flour and are seasoned with caraway seeds and salt. Making them is ridiculously easy, and you will end up with biscuits that have a little tangy flavor thanks to the sauerkraut.

Zelnicky crackers are formed in the shape of cut-out circles or strips shortened into squares. Their other Czech names are zelnaky or zelniky.

MY TIP: Try these biscuits with shredded cheese, too (they are amazing!)

➜ Pronunciation

Wondering how to pronounce the Czech word "zelníčky"? As a native speaker, I've recorded a short audio clip to give you an idea!

➜ Ingredients

To make Czech zelnicky sauerkraut cookies, you will need:

• Sauerkraut; without brine, squeeze the sauerkraut well! If you can't find Czech sauerkraut, try German sauerkraut, which is very similar in taste. It can be bought in European deli stores.
• All-purpose flour; or plain flour in the UK
• Pork lard; this is the type of fat most commonly used in the Czech Republic, where lard is commonly available in shops. If you can't find lard in your grocery store, try asking your local butcher. Alternatively, completely replace the lard with any solid shortening.
• Salt
• Caraway seeds; crushed

✅ You’ll find the exact amount of ingredients below in the recipe card, which you can also print out.

➜ Instructions with photos

STEP 1: Drain and squeeze the sauerkraut. Cut it finely with a sharp knife so that there are no long shreds.

STEP 2: Put the chopped sauerkraut, lard, flour, salt, and crushed caraway seeds in a large mixing bowl. Work into a soft dough. If it is too sticky, sprinkle with flour and work it into the dough.

TIP: Learn three ways how to crush caraway seeds in a breeze!

STEP 3: On a floured pastry board, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/8" (0.4 cm). Using a glass or a cookie cutter of about 3" (7 cm) in diameter, cut out rounds. For a lazy option, cut the dough into strips and then into squares.

STEP 4: Use a flat knife to lift the cut zelnicky and transfer them to a baking tray lined with baking paper. If you don't have baking paper, an ungreased cookie sheet will work too.

STEP 5: Bake the biscuits in a preheated oven at 392°F / 200°C for 20-25 minutes. Their surface should be golden but not brown.

➜ Serving

Zelnicky crackers taste great just like fried chips, salty nuts, or any other snack. Or have a glass of white wine with them. Bake them for a family gathering or if you want to introduce Czech cuisine to your good friends. 

Arrange the biscuits in a bowl and put them on the table for everyone to take as they like.

➜ How to enhance zelnicky crackers

Traditional zelnicky crackers really only need the basic ingredients listed in the recipe.

If you are tempted to tweak them a little, you can add ground crackling, a little black pepper, or sweet ground paprika. Some people also add bacon or other smoked meat cut into small cubes.

➜ Useful tips

• The crackers have a unique, slightly sour taste thanks to the sauerkraut.
• Right after baking, the zelnicky biscuits are wonderfully crunchy. If you leave them out overnight, they soften a bit the next day. However, they still taste great.
• Store covered in an airtight container to keep them crisp for as long as possible.
• Classic zelniky biscuits are baked in the oven, not fried in fat in a pan!

More tasty recipes:

• Szegedin goulash – made with sauerkraut
• Sauerkraut soup – Czech zelnacka
• Dumplings and sauerkraut – Czech strapacky
• Pork crackling biscuits – Slovak pagáče
• Sauerkraut strudel – with smoked bacon
• Czech Kyselica soup