The response surface methodology （RSM） along with Box-Behnken design was firstly applied to optimize the denitration process of the single-hole propellant. The effects of three main influencing factors， hydrazine hydrate concentration， reaction temperature and reaction time on the denitration rate in the denitration process of single-hole propellant were investigated. A quadratic mathematical model with the denitration rate as the response value was established. The results showed that the degree of influence of each factor on denitration rate was hydrazine hydrate concentration > reaction time > reaction temperature， and the interaction between the factors was not significant. The correlation coefficient of the established quadratic model is 0.9774. The experimental values of denitration rate and the predicted values of the model were in good agreement when multiple experiments were conducted within the range of the factor levels， indicating that the proposed quadratic model is highly reliable and can be used to predict the denitration rate in the denitration process of the propellant and optimize the process conditions. Through the characterization of the structure and combustion performance of the single-hole propellant before and after denitration， it is further confirmed that the gradient nitrate single-hole propellant have a gradient distribution of nitrate group concentration in the surface layer and at the edge of the hole， with excellent progressive burning performance.