The best recipes for open-faced sandwiches: original ideas that will impress every guest

Open-faced sandwiches are an inseparable part of Czech cuisine – small, richly topped pieces of bread that are served at celebrations, family gatherings and corporate events. They are a symbol of hospitality, creativity and honest home cooking. Whether you prefer classic combinations or want to impress with a modern approach, topped open-faced sandwiches never disappoint.

Below you’ll find several great ideas and recipes for original open-faced sandwiches that will delight every guest – from traditional to fresh and light variants. From a few common ingredients you can create masterful bites that will not only taste great but also look fantastic.

Classic open-faced sandwiches

Classic Czech open-faced sandwiches have their charm. A soft slice of a loaf, butter, Czech-style potato salad, ham, cheese and a piece of cucumber or egg – that’s the flavor that comes to mind at every celebration. Emphasize high-quality ingredients and careful layering.

Ingredients

• 1 veka or baguette (sliced diagonally)
• 100 g butter
• 200 g Czech-style potato salad
• 100 g quality ham
• 100 g Edam or Gouda
• 2 boiled eggs
• 1 pickled cucumber
• parsley or chives for garnish

Method

1. Spread a thin layer of butter on the slices of loaf.
2. Spread a little Czech-style potato salad, add a slice of ham and cheese.
3. Garnish with a slice of boiled egg, a piece of cucumber and an herb.
4. For a festive look add a drop of mayonnaise or a slice of red bell pepper.

Open-faced sandwiches with avocado and smoked salmon

A fresh, modern variant. Avocado gives a creamy texture, salmon a delicate saltiness and the color combination looks elegant – ideal for brunch or an evening reception.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of whole-grain bread or baguette (lightly toasted)
• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• salt, pepper
• 100 g smoked salmon
• fresh parsley or dill

Method

1. Mash the avocado, add lemon, salt and pepper.
2. Spread the mixture on the toasted slices of bread.
3. Place slices of salmon on top and garnish with an herb.
4. Finish with a few drops of olive oil or a thin slice of lemon if desired.

Open-faced sandwiches with herring, onion and apple

A Nordic-style combination: the saltiness of the fish, the freshness of the apple and the creaminess of sour cream. Great for gourmets who like to discover new flavors.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of rye or dark bread (lightly toasted)
• 2 fillets of pickled herring
• 1 small onion (into thin rings)
• 1/2 apple (into thin slices)
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• freshly ground pepper

Method

1. Spread sour cream on the slices of bread.
2. Place a piece of herring on each sandwich.
3. Add onion rings and thin slices of apple, pepper to taste.
4. Serve well chilled.

Vegetarian open-faced sandwiches with hummus and vegetables

Light, colorful and full of plant protein. They look great and taste even better – a safe choice for a lighter reception.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of multigrain bread (lightly toasted)
• 150 g hummus (classic or flavored)
• 1 tomato
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• sesame seeds, sunflower seeds or microgreens for garnish

Method

1. Spread a layer of hummus on the toasted bread.
2. Slice the vegetables thinly and arrange on top.
3. Sprinkle with seeds or sprouts, or chopped parsley.
4. Tip: try hummus with roasted pepper or garlic for a more pronounced flavor.

Open-faced sandwiches with egg spread and radishes

A simple classic that never disappoints. The creamy spread and crunchy radish create a perfect contrast of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of bread or loaf
• 4 boiled eggs
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon full-fat mustard
• salt, pepper
• 4 radishes (sliced)
• chives for garnish

Method

1. Chop the eggs finely, mix with mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper.
2. Spread the mixture on the bread.
3. Add slices of radish and sprinkle with chives.
4. For freshness, drizzle a little lemon juice.

Festive open-faced sandwiches with cream cheese, honey and grapes

Unconventional, elegant and great with wine. Cream cheese, honey, nuts and fruit create a delicate sweet-and-salty appetizer.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of toast bread (you can lightly toast them)
• 100 g cream cheese (e.g. Philadelphia)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• a handful of walnuts (chopped)
• grapes (halved)

Method

1. Mix the cream cheese with honey and spread on the bread.
2. Garnish with halved grapes.
3. Sprinkle with chopped nuts and serve chilled.

Tips for preparing perfect open-faced sandwiches

• Freshness first: quality bread, ham, cheese and vegetables make the difference.
• Contrasts of flavors and textures: combine salty with sweet, creamy with crunchy.
• Aesthetics are key: work with colors, layer height and small details.
• Prepare just before serving: the bread will stay crisp and fresh.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment: different types of bread, spreads and garnishes will surprise you.

Conclusion

Topped open-faced sandwiches are a versatile dish that anyone can make and can be prepared in countless ways. Whether you’re organizing a family celebration, a get-together with friends or just want to treat yourself, homemade open-faced sandwiches will always hit the mark.