The machine comprises a pre-heater (1) followed by a first chamber (3), incorporating heated plates (4) wherebetween a food product to be dried is passed. The machine also comprises a successive section (6), wherethrough the food product is conveyed to a second chamber (7), incorporating cooled plates (8), wherebetween the food product is passed. The plates (8) are adapted for rapidly condensing moisture contained in the ambient air and in the food product itself, to further rapidly reduce its moisture content to approximately 13-14%.