The invention relates to a plant and a method for drying foodstuffs, in particular, fruit and vegetables, wherein such products are subjected to cyclic water evaporation steps, by means of ascending insufflation of hot and dry air, making sure that the treatment occurs uniformly over the entire product surface. The temperature, the humidity degree and the air flow rate are controlled so as to have specific values for each step of the drying process. The drying products are affected by hot air in forced movement, with an ascending transverse flow.