The mechanism of infrared radiation drying was introduced, and the intrinsic and external factors influencing infrared radiation drying kinetics for fruits and vegetables were synthetically analyzed. The relationships between dehydration and the controlling factors, including interior moisture removal and diffusion process of materials were discussed. Characteristics of heat and mass transfer in wet materials were investigated. Further research direction and development trends of infrared radiation drying for fruits and vegetables were presented based on seeking the regularities of drying. 