The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the air drying of bay leaves (Laurus nobilis). The study focused on different values for the following parameters: temperature, relative humidity and drying air velocity. The responses measured included: leaf quality (color), drying time and mass diffusivity across a leaf. Second-order polynomial equations were used to analyze the effects of drying conditions on these parameters. Optimum drying conditions were identified by minimizing the drying time, the moisture content and variations in color. These optimum conditions were: 59.87 • C, 15.00 % and 1.51 m/s, respectively, for temperature, relative humidity and velocity. These conditions were then validated experimentally.