Method and device for drying a water-containing substance using an air stream by: heating the air stream in a first heat exchanger (1) by direct contact between the air stream and a first portion of the water-containing substance; separating the heated air stream into a first and a second air stream; heating the second air stream in a heating unit (3); drying a second portion of the water-containing substance in a drying unit (5) by direct contact between the heated second air stream and the second portion of the water-containing substance; cooling the second air stream to the temperature level of the first cooling liquid in a second heat exchanger (201a) using a first cooling liquid; mixing the cooled second air stream and the first air stream in a mixing unit; cooling the mixed air stream by means of a second cooling liquid in a third heat exchanger (201b).