This study was conducted to assess the effects of mash and pellet diets with the same starch gelatinisation degree on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical indicators, free amino acid concentrations, and digestive enzyme activities in piglets. A total of 96 crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) piglets with an average initial body weight of 8.91 ± 0.15 kg were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments based on body weight and sex (four barrows and four gilts per replicate). Each treatment consisted of six replicates, with eight pigs per replicate. The trial lasted 35 days, during which piglets were fed either a mash or pellet diet. Compared with the mash diet, piglets fed the pellet diet had higher average daily gain and average daily feed intake, while feed efficiency was not affected by the feed form. The pellet diet also improved the apparent total tract digestibility of ether extract and gross energy on day 14. Serum analysis demonstrated increased ghrelin and decreased leptin concentrations in pellet-fed piglets on day 35. Additionally, serum methionine and threonine levels were higher in the pellet diet group. Regarding digestive enzyme activity, piglets fed the pellet diet showed increased amylase activity in the posterior jejunum, while decreased lipase activity in the anterior jejunum, and sucrase activity in the posterior ileum. These findings indicate that, under identical starch gelatinisation conditions, the pellet diet increased growth performance by improving nutrient digestibility, gut hormone levels, and digestive enzyme activities.