We all know the small bites called canapés from all kinds of celebrations and parties. They are very popular not only in the Czech Republic but abroad as well. Their great advantage is that they are not too filling, so we can taste more varieties, and we can still hold a drink in our other hand.
Abroad, such dishes are often called “finger food”, meaning food you can eat with your hands. Canapés are popular precisely because you do not need cutlery to eat them. They are also very versatile, so everyone can find their favourite for a special occasion.
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Canapés come in countless varieties
Bread or rolls of any kind cut into all sorts of shapes, topped with spreads and garnished with cheese, ham or vegetables, plus various sweet versions: these are our Czech canapés. Would you like to try some that will not harm your figure but that you will still enjoy? Then take a look at our 15 healthy tips suitable for any occasion.
1. Olomouc cheese canapés
A quick, simple snack that certainly will not harm your figure and will even give your body protein can be made from a popular pungent cheese, tvarůžky (Olomouc ripened cheese). Just take a wholemeal roll or small baguette, slice it for canapés, spread it with cream cheese and top it with a piece of tvarůžky.
There are no limits to your imagination, so you can also top the canapé with a piece of pickled gherkin or another vegetable, or add a piece of high-meat-content ham. A tvarůžky spread made from grated cheese, quark and mustard, seasoned with salt and pepper, would also be a good choice.
2. Smoked salmon canapés
This type of canapé is perfect for lovers of fish and smoked delicacies. The smoked fish gives the canapés a wonderful strong flavour. Even though it is smoked, this kind of canapé will not harm your body and is more of a healthy treat.
Again, just slice the bread, spread it with soft cheese or cream cheese and top it with a piece of smoked salmon. For an even better taste, you can add a slice of cucumber and drizzle the salmon with a little lemon juice.
3. Pancake canapés
We all know pancakes very well in their classic “long” form. How about turning them into tasty canapés? They are really simple, and they will also catch your guests’ attention, who will surely find them hard to resist.
You can try a healthy version made with wholemeal or spelt flour and spread them with quark mixed with honey or chicory syrup, or with sugar-free jam. A savoury version with cheese, ham or spinach also sounds great. Then simply cut the classic rolled pancakes into small pieces, put them on cocktail sticks and serve.
4. Broccoli patties
Broccoli is very healthy and nourishing for the body. What is great about it is that you can use it to make many dishes and recipes that are very tasty and good for your health. Broccoli patties are certainly no exception.
You can make them in a vegan version or for meat lovers. Simply steam broccoli florets until soft, then mash them and mix with minced meat (leave out the meat in the vegan version), quark, 2 eggs and wholemeal flour, and finally season with salt, pepper or your favourite spices. Shape the mixture into small patties, bake them in the oven on both sides, and your tasty canapés are ready.
5. Cheese and ham rolls
Very quick, easy and tasty canapés can be made from just a handful of ingredients, and even without bread. Besides saving a few calories, they impress with both their look and their taste.
Just take slices of cheese and ham, lay them on top of each other, fill them with cream cheese, Czech butter spread or soft cheese and roll them up. To help the rolls keep their shape, it is a good idea to secure them with cocktail sticks. You can fill them with a plain spread or choose from a wide range of flavours.
6. Garlic and cheese canapés
Garlic and cheese spread is one of the most popular classics for canapés. However, it is usually full of mayonnaise, which does nothing good for our health or our figure. But you can also make it in a healthy way that certainly does not take away from its taste.
All you need is quark, grated cheese, garlic, a few spoonfuls of mustard, and salt and pepper to season. When you mix it all together, you get a healthy treat that is ideal for spreading on canapés. Thanks to the quark, it is also rich in protein, which is good for our body.
💡 Tip: Did you know that it is very important to have enough protein-rich foods in your diet? Take a look at these 25 TOP protein-rich foods.
7. Meatball canapés
This type will not impress vegetarians or vegans, but meat lovers will be completely satisfied and will certainly not leave these canapés sitting on the table. They are also an original twist on classic canapés made from topped bread.
Just make small meatballs, bake them in the oven and then put them on cocktail sticks. You can brush them with a dressing or with ketchup and mustard, and add a slice of pickled gherkin or another vegetable to each one.
💡 Tip: There is no rule that says you cannot make a meat-free version that vegans, vegetarians and people who do not eat meat will enjoy. Simply swap the minced meat for a suitable substitute such as tofu to make a vegan batch of canapés.
8. Fruit skewers
For those with a sweet tooth, here is a sweet version of canapés in the form of fruit skewers. This treat also gives the body plenty of vitamins, fibre and beneficial nutrients, so it is a healthier option.
Making these skewers is really quick and easy. Just have a variety of fruit to hand (apples, bananas, grapes, mandarins or various summer fruits), cut it into small pieces and thread them alternately onto small skewers or cocktail sticks. Besides the vitamins, they are a feast for the eyes, as the colourful fruit lets you give free rein to your creativity.
9. Savoury toast rolls
Sliced white bread can also be used to make good canapés that impress with both their look and their taste. Again, they need only a few ingredients and little preparation time, which is especially handy when guests turn up unexpectedly.
Cut the crusts off the bread and cut each slice in half. Flatten all the halves with a rolling pin and spread them with Czech butter spread or cream cheese. Then top them with slices of cheese, ham or smoked salmon and roll them up. Finally, spread a little more on top and sprinkle with chives or another herb.
10. Cheese balls
Grated cheese mixed with spices and herbs, shaped into balls and placed on cocktail sticks on rounds of bread, and you have another healthy snack on the table. They are simple, quick and taste delicious too.
For example, Gouda with Niva blue cheese is excellent. Grate them finely and season with herbs and spices. Then just shape the mixture into balls, which you can roll in chives, and put them on pieces of wholemeal bread.
💡 Tip: Do you know how to support your health without unnecessary pills or other chemicals? Take a look at 12 tips for boosting your immunity naturally.
11. Sweet toast rolls
These are made in a very similar way to the savoury version. However, they have a special twist and taste completely different. And even though they are a sweet treat, they will certainly not harm your slim figure. The fruit also provides vitamins and other nutrients the body needs.
Crack eggs into a bowl (the number depends on how much bread you use) and mix them with milk. In a second bowl, prepare cinnamon with erythritol for coating the rolls. Again, cut the crusts off the bread and flatten it with a rolling pin.
Spread the slices with nut butter, quark or whatever you like, top them with slices of strawberry or banana (grated apple works well too) and roll them up. Then dip them in the egg and milk mixture and fry them in a drop of oil. As soon as they are fried, roll them in the cinnamon and erythritol.
12. Eggy bread roll canapés
Many of us surely remember eggy bread or dumplings fried in egg from childhood. In the same spirit, you can make tasty little canapés that will bring a wave of nostalgia to the table. What is more, you can make them in a healthier way.
Just slice a wholemeal roll, coat the slices in egg and fry them on both sides in a drop of oil. That is the base, and now all you have to do is spread them with anything you like and have to hand. The savoury version is great with ketchup or mustard and small pieces of cheese, ham and vegetables. For a sweet version, top them with 100% fruit jam, nut butter and various fruits.
13. Chocolate-coated fruit
Another option for healthier snacking is fruit canapés coated in chocolate. Believe us, they are a must on your buffet table. They take very little time to prepare, and both adults and children love them.
Simply cut a variety of fruit into small pieces (bananas, strawberries, grapes, mandarins…) and melt broken-up chocolate with a knob of butter in a bain-marie. Spear the pieces of fruit on cocktail sticks and dip them in the chocolate. Place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper, and you can also decorate them with coconut or nuts. Leave them to set in the fridge, ideally until the next day.
14. Mozzarella and tomato canapés
Instead of the classic canapé topping, which usually means various spreads, you can try a very simple, quick variation. Besides tasting great, the tomato and mozzarella combination also works as a healthier alternative.
Slice rye or wholegrain bread, spread it with cream cheese or butter and top it with small pieces of tomato and mozzarella. They are excellent sprinkled with basil, which adds more flavour.
15. Avocado canapés
You can conjure up many tasty recipes from avocado , and these include an excellent canapé spread. It makes a delicious, healthy spread that you simply put on bread and then serve at the table.
Scoop out the avocado, mix it with garlic, salt and pepper, and whisk. Then just spread it on sliced wholegrain or rye bread. You can garnish the canapés with vegetables, seeds or even sprouts.
In short, canapés belong on buffet tables at every kind of occasion. Celebrations could hardly take place without them. There are truly many options and ideas for serving various snacks, and the ones above are among the healthier, yet also very tasty, choices.
