Honey bee brood (lava and pupa stages of honey bee) and pearl millet are two food items that are locally available in Kenya, culturally accepted and often consumed in many parts of the world including Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALS). However, there is limited documented literature on characteristics of pearl millet and honey bee brood. Such information is important to inform production, processing, and value addition. This systematic literature review aims to determine the nutritional composition, use, acceptability, strengths and threats, as well as effects (on weight, height or biochemical composition in children) of pearl millet and honey bee brood. A total of seventy relevant articles published in 1980 to 2023 searched on Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Google Scholar were included in the study. Pearl millet was presented to have high calorie, and balanced micronutrients. On the other hand, honey bee brood was described as rich in protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Combining the two in conventional diet would provide adequate nutrients for humans when utilized as food. Due to presence of high contents of balanced amino acids, especially leucine, histidine and the high caloric nature of pearl millet and bee brood, the two can be promoted for malnutrition prevention and resolution in the arid and semi-arid lands where they are produced.