How to make Moana Cookies with Fondant

Character-inspired party treats are one of the easiest ways to bring a theme to life, and Hei Hei sugar cookies do exactly that in the most delightful way. They’re colorful, instantly recognizable, and full of personality — making them a perfect addition to a Moana-inspired celebration. Whether you’re planning a birthday party, movie night, or tropical themed gathering, these cookies add charm, humor, and a whole lot of fun to your dessert table.

What makes Hei Hei such a crowd favorite is his playful, slightly silly personality, and that translates beautifully into party food. Kids immediately connect with him, and adults can’t help but smile when they spot his familiar face among the treats. These cookies don’t just sit on the table — they become part of the experience. Guests talk about them, point them out, and remember them long after the party ends.

Throwing a MOANA THEMED PARTY?

☑️ This Moana Party Kit is the perfect set to get your party planning headed in the right direction!

From a planning perspective, themed cookies like these are incredibly versatile. They can be used as dessert, party favors, or even decorative accents on a treat table. They work just as well for small gatherings as they do for larger celebrations and can be paired with a variety of other themed snacks to create a cohesive look. Because they’re sugar cookies, they’re also familiar and kid-approved, which takes the guesswork out of dessert planning.

In this post, you’ll find ideas for using Hei Hei sugar cookies throughout your party, along with inspiration for building a Moana-inspired celebration around them. From placement and presentation to pairing them with other party elements, these tips are designed to help you make the most of this standout treat.

If you’re looking for a way to add personality, color, and fun to your party without overcomplicating your menu, Hei Hei sugar cookies are a perfect choice. They prove that themed treats don’t need to be elaborate to make a big impact — they just need to be thoughtful and fun.

If you love that cute and not so bright little chicken…these Hei Hei sugar cookies are perfect for your party. This super simple Hei Hei cookies tutorial will help you make the cutest Moana themed cookies for your birthday!

So if you love Moana in your house like we do in ours, I’m sure you have favorites. Over here, we fight over whether its Maui or Hei Hei. Like it’s a knock down drag out every time the conversation rolls around to which character steals the show!

My oldest daughter LOVES Hei Hei! I think she wants to adopt a chicken just to name it Hei Hei. So in honor of her adoration for the cute little chick…here is a SUPER SIMPLE Hei Hei sugar cookie tutorial for making this cute little guy!

How to use Hei Hei Sugar Cookies

Hei Hei sugar cookies are incredibly versatile and can be used in multiple ways throughout your party. One of the most popular options is to feature them as part of the dessert table, where their bright colors and playful design immediately draw attention. Arranging them at different heights or grouping them with complementary treats helps them stand out as a focal point rather than getting lost among other desserts.

These cookies also work beautifully as individual treats for guests. Placing one at each place setting or packaging them as take-home favors adds a thoughtful touch that guests appreciate. Because they’re visually appealing on their own, they don’t require much extra decoration to feel special. Simple presentation allows the character design to shine.

Another fun way to use Hei Hei cookies is as part of a themed activity or display. They can be incorporated into a dessert station where guests choose their own treats or used as decorative accents alongside other Moana-inspired elements. Their playful nature makes them especially appealing to kids, who love spotting familiar characters at the party.

No matter how you choose to use them, the key is placement. When Hei Hei cookies are given room to stand out, they add personality and charm to the celebration. They’re not just another dessert — they’re a detail that reinforces the theme and makes the party feel thoughtfully designed.

Hei Hei cookies can easily be incorporated into a Moana themed birthday. You can display them on a plate, on cupcakes as toppers, or even on a bed of shredded green paper like Hei Hei is chilling in the grass.

Ideas for a Moana party

A Moana-inspired party is all about embracing tropical colors, natural textures, and a sense of adventure. This theme works beautifully for kids’ celebrations because it feels bright, energetic, and playful while still offering plenty of opportunities for creative styling. From the décor to the food, every element can support the story and spirit of the theme.

Start by focusing on a cohesive color palette that reflects the ocean and island setting. Blues, greens, warm neutrals, and pops of bright color help create a cheerful, tropical atmosphere. These colors can be carried through tableware, decorations, and party signage to keep the design consistent.

Food plays a big role in bringing the theme to life. Character-inspired treats like Hei Hei sugar cookies add personality, while tropical-inspired snacks and simple, kid-friendly options keep the menu approachable. Presentation is just as important as the food itself, so arranging items thoughtfully helps the table feel intentional and inviting.

Activities and details can also reinforce the theme without adding stress. Simple crafts, themed games, or interactive food stations help keep kids engaged while maintaining the overall look of the party. When all the elements work together, the celebration feels immersive and fun.

A Moana party is ultimately about creating an experience that feels joyful and adventurous. With thoughtful details and cohesive styling, you can create a celebration that kids love and guests remember long after the party ends.

If you are planning a Moana party, you need all the adorable party decor and food ideas. We have several options to share. Be sure to check out these Moana party ideas.

Also check out these Moana cakes, cookies and dessert ideas! You will LOVE planning a party with this theme!

Hei Hei Cookie Tutorial: STEP by STEP

Ready to make some super cute cookies? Let’s take a look at how to make these little birds step by step!

Materials:

Pineapple Cookie Cutter. You can use any cutter, but I used the pineapple cutter from this set for the larger cookies and the pineapple cutter from this set for the smaller cookies.
White Fondant (or Red Fondant and Yellow Fondant)
Gel Food Coloring (if using White Fondant)
Fondant Cutters
Large Candy Eyes
Sugar Cookie Recipe: I used my no-fail, easy to use Sugar Cookie Recipe.

Step 1:

The first step is prepping your sugar cookie dough. You can use any sugar cookie recipe as long as it doesn’t have a lot of spread. I recommend my basic cut out sugar recipe. It is great for keeping it’s shape and tastes delicious.

Start by liberally flouring the surface where you will cut your dough and the rolling pin you use to roll it out. Roll out dough until it about ¼ inch thick. Using the pineapple shaped cookie cutter, cut the cookies and place on parchment covered cookie sheets. Bake according to your recipe.

Allow cookies to completely cool prior to decorating. I like to bake the cookies the day before and let them cool all night in a sealed container.

Step 2:

The next step is prepping your fondant. If you chose to use white fondant, you will want to color the fondant with the gel food coloring.

To color fondant, start with white and add drops of gel food coloring, kneading as you go until fondant is the desired color. Mix together until it is fully mixed and no longer has a “tie-dyed” look to it. You will need mostly red fondant with a small amount of yellow fondant.

If you are using pre-colored fondant, you don’t need to mix any food coloring. Either method works, the white fondant option is a little more time consuming, but also more budget friendly.

Step 3:

Roll out the red fondant until it is about 1/4 inch thick. Using the same cookie cutter you cut the cookies out with, cut out the red fondant. You will need one “pineapple” shape per cookie. Gently press large candy eyes into face while the fondant is still soft so they will dry into the fondant. Set aside to dry.

Step 4:

Roll out the yellow fondant until it is 1/4 inch thick. Use an oval shaped fondant punch to punch one beak per cookie. If you choose to not use a fondant punch, you can also just use the center section of the top of pineapple cutter.

Simply cut one side of the oval and then turn the cutter around to cut the other side.

Fold the yellow oval in half and pinch slightly to make the beak. Set aside to dry.

Step 5:

Return to the red fondant. Roll the fondant in your palm like you are making a “snake” out of play dough. Once you get a long snake of red fondant, cut the pieces to about 2 inches for a large cookie and 1 inch for a small cookie, bend the snake into a half circle and allow to dry.

Step 6:

Using small drops of water as glue, attach the beak and red snake to the red face. Easy peasy and ready to enjoy!

Silly Hei Hei Cookies for a Moana Party

Ready to make some super cute cookies? Let's take a look at how to make these little birds step by step!

Materials

Pineapple Cookie Cutter. You can use any cutter, but I used the pineapple cutter from this set for the larger cookies and the pineapple cutter from this set for the smaller cookies.
White Fondant (or Red Fondant and Yellow Fondant)
Gel Food Coloring (if using White Fondant)
Fondant Cutters
Large Candy Eyes
Sugar Cookie Recipe: I used my no-fail, easy to use Sugar Cookie Recipe.

Instructions

Step 1:

The first step is prepping your sugar cookie dough. You can use any sugar cookie recipe as long as it doesn't have a lot of spread. I recommend my basic cut out sugar recipe. It is great for keeping it's shape and tastes delicious.

Allow cookies to completely cool prior to decorating. I like to bake the cookies the day before and let them cool all night in a sealed container.

Step 2:

The next step is prepping your fondant. If you chose to use white fondant, you will want to color the fondant with the gel food coloring.

To color fondant, start with white and add drops of gel food coloring, kneading as you go until fondant is the desired color. Mix together until it is fully mixed and no longer has a "tie-dyed" look to it. You will need mostly red fondant with a small amount of yellow fondant.

If you are using pre-colored fondant, you don't need to mix any food coloring. Either method works, the white fondant option is a little more time consuming, but also more budget friendly.

Step 3:

Roll out the red fondant until it is about 1/4 inch thick. Using the same cookie cutter you cut the cookies out with, cut out the red fondant. You will need one "pineapple" shape per cookie. Gently press large candy eyes into face while the fondant is still soft so they will dry into the fondant. Set aside to dry.

Step 4:

Simply cut one side of the oval and then turn the cutter around to cut the other side.

Fold the yellow oval in half and pinch slightly to make the beak. Set aside to dry.

Step 5:

Return to the red fondant. Roll the fondant in your palm like you are making a "snake" out of play dough. Once you get a long snake of red fondant, cut the pieces to about 2 inches for a large cookie and 1 inch for a small cookie, bend the snake into a half circle and allow to dry.

Step 6:

Using small drops of water as glue, attach the beak and red snake to the red face. Easy peasy and ready to enjoy!

Coordinating Moana Party Supplies

Serving party treats becomes much easier and more visually appealing when everything is supported by themed party ware. Coordinated plates, napkins, and serving pieces help create a unified look that makes even simple desserts feel intentional. When your food and tableware work together, the entire party setup feels polished and thoughtfully planned.

Themed party ware is also one of the most budget-friendly ways to elevate your celebration. Instead of investing in specialty dishes or elaborate decorations, party ware carries the design across the table with minimal effort. This consistency helps the theme flow naturally from one treat to the next and prevents the table from feeling cluttered or mismatched.

Another major advantage is convenience. Party ware simplifies setup and cleanup, which allows you to spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying the party. Everything is designed to be functional while still contributing to the overall look of the celebration.

Most importantly, themed party ware enhances how your treats are experienced. When items like Hei Hei sugar cookies are displayed on coordinating pieces, they stand out even more. The table feels complete, the details feel intentional, and guests can easily see the care that went into planning. For any themed party, party ware is a simple choice that makes a big impact and is always worth including.

Setting up your Moana party is made that much easier with coordinating party supplies. These options will help get your party planning going in the right direction and keep you on budget!

Moana Tableware from Oriental Trading

Conclusion for DIY Hei Hei Cookies:

Hei Hei sugar cookies are the kind of party detail that instantly brings smiles to the table. They’re playful, colorful, and full of personality, making them a natural fit for a Moana-inspired celebration. While they may seem like a small addition, these cookies play a big role in shaping the overall feel of the party. They add humor, charm, and character in a way that feels effortless and fun.

One of the best things about using character-themed treats like Hei Hei cookies is how easily they connect with guests. Kids immediately recognize the character and feel excited before they even take a bite. That excitement creates energy around the dessert table and helps the party feel interactive rather than static. Treats become conversation starters, photo moments, and memorable highlights rather than just something to eat.

From a hosting perspective, these cookies are also incredibly practical. Because they’re made from a familiar base, they’re appealing to a wide range of tastes. There’s no guessing whether guests will enjoy them, and that takes pressure off your menu planning. At the same time, their design elevates them beyond an everyday dessert, giving your party a special touch without extra complexity.

Hei Hei sugar cookies also support the bigger picture of themed party design. When food reflects the theme, the entire celebration feels more cohesive. The colors, shapes, and characters all work together to tell a story. That sense of continuity makes the party feel intentional and thoughtfully planned, even if the setup itself is simple.

Another reason these cookies work so well is their flexibility. They can be used in a variety of ways throughout the party, from centerpiece desserts to individual favors. They fit seamlessly into both large and small celebrations and can be adapted to different layouts and styles. This versatility makes them a smart choice for hosts who want maximum impact from a single element.

Beyond aesthetics, themed treats like Hei Hei cookies help create moments. They encourage kids to gather, point, laugh, and share. Those moments are what guests remember long after the party ends. When a celebration feels joyful and relaxed, it leaves a lasting impression that goes beyond decorations or party favors.

As you plan your Moana-inspired party, remember that it’s the thoughtful details that bring everything together. You don’t need an overwhelming number of decorations or complicated recipes. A few well-chosen elements, like Hei Hei sugar cookies, can carry the theme beautifully and make the party feel complete.

At the heart of every great party is the goal of creating a happy, welcoming space. Hei Hei sugar cookies help do exactly that. They add personality, encourage smiles, and support a cohesive design that feels both fun and intentional. When guests leave remembering how much they laughed, how much fun they had, and how special the details felt, you know you’ve created something meaningful.

With their playful charm and easy versatility, Hei Hei sugar cookies are more than just a dessert. They’re a celebration of creativity, character, and joyful party planning — the kind of detail that turns a simple gathering into a memorable experience.

If you are looking for some simple and cute cookies for your Moana party these fun little fondant Hei Hei cookies are a great option. This simple to recreate tutorial will have you baking fabulous cookies in no time!

If you love this tutorial, please pin this image to your birthday Pinterest board:

Silly Hei Hei Cookies for a Moana Party

How to make Moana Cookies with Fondant