A machine for coating granular articles and the like includes a rotating drum or a coating pan (1), which receives a predetermined mass of articles to be treated. The machine includes also a tubular manifold (4), whose axis is parallel to the axis of said coating pan (1) and which communicates with an outer first pipe (5). A plurality of perforated hollow bodies (14) extend from said manifold (4) and are dipped into the moving mass of the articles to be treated. A second pipe (6) communicates with the coating pan (1), so as to create a flow of air for ventilating the articles. The perforated hollow bodies (14) are telescopic, so as to allow adjustment of their length in order to change the depth of penetration thereof in the moving mass of the articles inside the coating pan (1). The perforated hollow bodies (14) have a distal part (14b), which is inclined with respect to the hollow body vertical axis and whose cross-section is oblong with pointed ends. The first pipe (5) and second pipe (6) are aimed at being connected, by a commutation member (7), alternately to a tube (8) introducing air for drying treated articles and to a discharge tube (9).