Name: Obložené Chlebíčky (Czech Open Faced Sandwiches)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 285 grams (10 ounces) waxy potatoes, (unpeeled but well-scrubbed and washed (about 2 small potatoes)); 100 grams (3 ½ ounces / ¾ cup) frozen peas, (thawed); 100 grams (3 ½ ounces) sliced ham; ½ cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon pickle brine; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 8 slices baguette (½-inch thick, sliced on the bias); 1 to 1 ½ cups vlašský salát ((see above)); 2 hard-boiled eggs, (quartered); 2 small dill pickles or cornichons, (sliced thinly lengthwise); 8 slices baguette, (½-inch thick, sliced on the bias); 1 tablespoon soft butter or mayonnaise, (or more as needed); 4 slices salami, (cut in half); 2 slices Edam, Gouda, or Emmental cheese, (cut into quarters); 2 hard-boiled eggs, (sliced); 8 slices cucumber; 8 slices baguette, (½-inch thick, sliced on the bias); 1 tablespoon soft butter or mayonnaise, (or more as needed); 2 slices ham, (cut into quarters); ½ cup grated hard-boiled egg; 8 cherry tomatoes, (halved lengthwise); 1 small dill pickle or cornichon, (sliced thinly crosswise); 8 slices baguette, (½-inch thick, sliced on the bias); 3 tablespoons soft cream cheese, (or as needed); 3 to 4 ounces sliced smoked salmon, (cut into 8 smaller pieces); 16 slices cucumber; 2 teaspoons drained capers; 1 teaspoon chopped chive; 8 thin half-moon slices of lemon

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Obložené Chlebíčky are Czech open-faced sandwiches or "garnished breads." They are very customizable, and perfect for snacking or entertaining guests. Get creative or use classic flavors to put together a gorgeous spread of hand-held delights.

Four varieties of Czech open-faced sandwiches on a large oval platter.

During my travels in the Czech Republic, I was introduced to the joys of obložené chlebíčky, or simply chlebíčky (pronounced kleb-EECH-key) for short. The name basically means "garnished breads" and the objective is to create sandwiches that are just as beautiful as they are delicious.

The chlebíčky varieties I sampled at Špejle and Sisters (both in Prague) were less classic and more creative. When it comes to making chlebíčky the sky is the limit. You can really get as creative and outside of the box as you want, or do as I've done in this post and use some more traditional ingredient combinations.

These small open-faced sandwiches are extremely popular throughout Czechia as a snack or for parties and entertaining, especially for holidays like Christmas and New Year. The bread is small and there is usually A LOT going on on top, but these open-faced sandwiches are simply fabulous and totally customizable, so have fun with them!

Ingredient notes

Ingredients for obložené chlebíčky (Czech sandwiches) on a white marble background.

Bread: In Czechia, obložené chlebíčky are usually assembled on veka bread which is similar to a French baguette. As baguettes are easier to source worldwide, that would be what I suggest using. Slice your baguette into ½-inch thick pieces on the bias (on an angle) to get more surface area for your toppings. A baguette will yield about 20 to 30 slices depending on its length, the exact thickness of your slices, and the angle at which you slice it.
Spreads: Using some kind of a spread on the bread is a great first step in assembling these. Soft butter and mayonnaise are both good options, as is cream cheese (especially for smoked fishes). You can also use a potato salad like vlašský salát as your base. Although I've seen references translating this as "walnut salad"—vlašský ořech means walnut—the actual name is based on an archaic Czech word for Italian. So really it translates to Italian salad, which seems just as random to me.
Meats: Two of the most popular meats for chlebíčky are ham and hard salami. You could also use other cold-cuts like prosciutto, mortadella, or even turkey. Honestly, whatever you like though the first two are quite classic. Fish is also a popular topping. Smoked salmon is a personal favorite, but you could also use smoked trout, sardines or anchovies.
Cheese: Thinly sliced firm or semi-firm cheeses are ideal for these small open-faced sandwiches. Try Emmental (Swiss cheese), Edam, or Gouda. Havarti would be delicious too!
Garnishes: Other popular garnishes include:
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Pickles
- Pickled beets
- Olives
- Herbs

Two varieties of Czech open-faced sandwiches topped with salami and cheese and smoked salmon.

How to make it

There are truly countless ways to make obložené chlebíčky, but I'm sharing 4 suggested varieties. Make one, make them all, or make them your own.

Version 1 (Vlašský Salát / Italian Salad):

Add whole, unpeeled potatoes to a small/medium pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until easily pierced with a fork. Remove potatoes from the water with a slotted spoon and set aside to cool.

Add frozen peas to the boiling water and blanch for 2 minutes, then drain and rinse with cold water.

When the potatoes have cooled, peel the skin and dice into small cubes. Chop ham and add it along with the potatoes to a mixing bowl. Add the blanched peas, mayonnaise, pickle brine, and seasonings, and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to absorb.

Vlašský Salát (Czech potato and ham salad with peas) in a glass bowl.

Spread each slice of bread with vlašský salát and garnish with sliced pickle and a hard-boiled egg quarter.

Open-faced sandwiches topped with potato salad, hard-boiled egg and pickle.

Version 2 (Chlebíček Salámový / Salami Sandwich):

Spread each slice of baguette with butter or mayonnaise and top with sliced salami, cheese, sliced hard-boiled egg, and sliced cucumber.

Open-faced sandwiches topped with salami, cheese, hard-boiled egg, and cucumber.

Version 3 (Chlebíček Šunkový / Ham Sandwich):

Spread each slice of baguette with butter or mayonnaise and top with sliced ham, grated hard-boiled egg, a halved cherry tomato, and sliced pickle.

Open-faced sandwiches topped with ham, halved cherries tomato, and sliced pickle.

Version 4 (Chlebíček Uzený Losos / Smoked Salmon Sandwich):

Spread each slice of baguette with cream cheese and top with a piece of smoked salmon, sliced cucumber, capers, chopped chives, and a slice of lemon.

Open-faced sandwiches topped with smoked salmon, sliced cucumber, capers, and lemon.

Please scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe (in a printable recipe card) including ingredient amounts and detailed instructions.

Expert tips

Classic vlašský salát uses drained canned peas instead of frozen ones, but the frozen ones simply taste better so I recommend using them here even though it’s not traditional.

For the ham for the vlašský salát, I recommend having the deli slice it about ⅛-inch thick so it’s more substantial when you chop it up. Two slices of polish ham at that thickness was perfect for mine.

Arrange the chlebíčky on a tray or platter. If preparing them in advance, wrap the platter with plastic wrap or foil so they don‘t dry out and remove right before serving.

Closeup of open-faced sandwiches topped with potato and ham salad, sliced pickle and boiled egg.

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