The invention relates to a method for drying liquid-bearing loose material, which method employs vapour which is substantially constituted of the liquid included in the loose material (3) with electric energy provided by a power source (2) by directly leading the electric energy with electrodes (1) to the material being dried (3) such that the vapour first constituted within the material (3) pushes the liquid in the material (3) out capillarily. In the method according to the invention, the loose material (3) is advantageously compacted to ensure its adequate conductivity. Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus applying the method according to claim 1, which apparatus includes electrodes (1) which are engineered to be set in contact with loose material being dried (3), a drying pipe (5) in which the loose material being dried is arranged for the time of drying, a feed pipe (6), and a feed screw (7). According to the invention, the apparatus includes a compacting device for compacting the loose material.