Step 1

Combine the cream cheese, ham, Swiss, mozzarella, pickles, mustard, cayenne and paprika in a medium bowl.

Step 2

Stuff the jalapeno halves with the filling and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment.

Step 3

Set up 3 bowls. In the first, mix together the flour with a pinch of salt and a few cracks of pepper. In the second, beat the eggs with the milk, a pinch of salt and a few cracks of pepper. In the third, place the cracker crumbs.

Step 4

Coat the stuffed peppers first in the flour mixture, then in the egg mixture and then in the cracker crumbs.

Step 5

Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot until a deep-frying thermometer registers 365 degrees F.

Step 6

Fry the stuffed jalapenos in batches until golden brown on all sides, about 2 minutes per batch. Alternatively, you can bake the poppers in the oven at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.