The functional properties and enzymatic digestibility of cationic and cross-linked cationic ae, wx, and normal maize starches were studied. Cationization reduced the endothermic transition temperatures (T(o), T(p), and T(c)), however, it increased peak viscosity, swelling power, solubility, clarity, and digestibility of all the starches compared to the corresponding native starch. After cationization, the enthalpy of waxy and normal starches was little changed but ae starch showed a decrease. For gel texture, cationization increased the hardness, adhesiveness, and springiness of all the starches, except for the hardness and adhesiveness of normal starch which showed a decrease, and the springiness of waxy starch did not show much change compared to the corresponding control starch. Cross-linking of cationic starch increased the endothermic transition temperatures, as well as peak viscosity. However, it reduced the swelling power and solubility, clarity, and enzymatic digestibility of all the cationic starches.